Trump Prefers Iran to Dispose of Uranium Domestically, Potentially Accelerating Ceasefire Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a potential shift in negotiations with Iran, stating a preference for the Islamic Republic to dispose of its enriched uranium within its own borders. This marks a departure from his earlier insistence that such material must be removed to the United States. The move comes as ceasefire talks between the two nations have reportedly stalled over disagreements concerning Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of economic sanctions.

Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that enriched uranium would either be immediately transferred to the U.S. for disposal or, more preferably, processed and disposed of within Iran or another mutually agreeable location in coordination with Tehran. He added that the process would be overseen by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or a comparable body. This willingness to compromise on the location of uranium disposal could offer a breakthrough in the stalled negotiations.

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The highly enriched uranium will be immediately transferred to the United States for export and disposal, or more preferably, it will be disposed of in Iran or another mutually acceptable location in cooperation and coordination with Iran.

Iran has consistently opposed transferring its enriched uranium outside the country, including to the U.S. or Russia. Reports suggest Iran has in principle agreed to a plan for processing its enriched uranium stockpile. If true, Trump's proposal appears aimed at allowing Iran to save face while securing a commitment to dismantle its nuclear material. This could be a strategic move to prevent the collapse of the ceasefire talks due to last-minute wrangling over nuclear issues and to appease hardliners within the Republican party by highlighting the achievement of uranium disposal.

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The focus of the negotiations is on ending the war, and there are no discussions on nuclear details at this stage.

However, Iran remains hesitant to include nuclear issues directly in the current memorandum of understanding (MOU). An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the focus of the negotiations is on ending the war, with no discussions on nuclear details at this stage. While both sides are reportedly discussing a framework for nuclear negotiations to commence within 60 days after an MOU is signed, Iran insists on concrete steps regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief, particularly the release of $12 billion in frozen assets, before proceeding.

Amidst these developments, high-ranking Iranian officials visited Doha, Qatar, to finalize details of the MOU. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. This visit follows a meeting between Qatari representatives and Iranian officials in Tehran. Qatar, along with Pakistan, has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran. The inclusion of the Iranian Central Bank governor in the delegation suggests that the release of frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and elsewhere was a key agenda item, alongside the Strait of Hormuz and uranium disposal.

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The two sides are exchanging many discussions regarding the specific wording of the initial document, and it will take a few days.