Trump says US would help destroy Iran’s uranium under a deal
7 reported2 unconfirmed
President Donald Trump stated in an NBC News “Meet the Press” interview that the United States would work with Iran to retrieve and destroy its highly enriched uranium if a deal can be reached to end the three-month-old war between the countries. Trump said that without an agreement, he would further degrade the Iranian military so American forces can safely collect the material on their own. He described the two sides as “very close” to signing a pact but said he is pushing for Iran to go further in abandoning its nuclear ambitions, including a provision barring Iran from purchasing or acquiring nuclear weapons. Trump noted that Iran’s new leadership, under Mojtaba Khamenei, is “more rational, very smart” after attacks killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and many of his lieutenants. The president said he has no plans to withdraw the 50,000 U.S. troops deployed to the region until “completion” of a deal. Trump also criticized the Obama-era nuclear deal and said any new agreement will not immediately unfreeze Iranian assets.
What’s reported
Trump said the U.S. will work with Iran to retrieve and destroy its highly enriched uranium if a deal is reached.
Without a deal, Trump said he will further degrade the Iranian military so U.S. forces can safely collect the material.
Trump said the two sides are “very close” to signing a pact but he wants an additional provision barring Iran from purchasing or acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump said Iran’s new leadership under Mojtaba Khamenei is “more rational, very smart” after attacks killed former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Trump said he has no plans to withdraw the 50,000 U.S. troops deployed to the region until “completion.”
Trump said any new agreement with Iran will not unfreeze its assets immediately.
A recent Economist/YouGov survey found 68% of adults said the U.S. “should make a deal to end the war in Iran as quickly as possible.”
Open questions
Trump declined to say definitively whether he knows the exact location of Mojtaba Khamenei or whether that location is in Iran.
The article does not specify the exact terms of the proposed deal or the timeline for negotiations.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Kristen Welker, “Meet the Press” moderator
Former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (deceased)
Mojtaba Khamenei, new supreme leader of Iran
Former President Barack Obama
Sources: NBC News
