Trump says Iran’s uranium will be brought to the United States

U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his plan to bring Iran’s uranium to the United States “through peaceful means,” while expressing hope that Tehran will cooperate with Washington on the issue.

Speaking on Friday (April 17) at a Republican Party rally organized by Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump addressed questions about Iran’s nuclear material. He said many people have been asking how the United States would obtain Iran’s so-called “nuclear dust” or uranium. In response, he suggested that large excavators would be used in coordination with Iran to collect it.

Trump added that the process would require extremely powerful and large-scale machinery, something beyond imagination. However, he emphasized that the entire operation would be carried out with Iran’s involvement, and expressed optimism that the uranium could soon be transferred to the United States.

According to United Nations data, Iran currently holds around 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to about 60 percent purity. However, nuclear weapons typically require enrichment levels of around 90 percent.

Earlier on April 16, Trump had claimed that Iran had agreed to hand over its uranium stockpile to the United States. However, Tehran quickly rejected the statement, saying that its uranium would not leave the country under any circumstances.

With his latest remarks, Trump has reaffirmed his earlier position on the issue.