Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States will ensure Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium does not remain in Tehran’s control. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Sunday, Trump said:
“We will not allow Iran to keep it.”
During the interaction, he also hinted that the uranium could be destroyed after being seized. Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile has become a key issue in the ongoing peace talks between Washington and Tehran. However, Iran has firmly stated that it will not hand over its uranium to the United States.
Iran’s Uranium Stockpile Remains a Major Concern
According to estimates, Iran possesses more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. Trump claimed that much of this uranium was buried underground during the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities carried out in June 2025.
Reports suggest that securing this uranium has become one of the main strategic objectives behind Trump’s hardline stance toward Iran. The stated goal is to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons capability.
Mojtaba Khamenei Issues Strict Order
Trump’s remarks came amid reports that Iran has no intention of surrendering its uranium reserves. According to Reuters, citing two Iranian sources, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that the country’s near weapons-grade uranium must not be sent abroad under any circumstances.
This directive could further complicate negotiations aimed at ending the conflict and restoring stability in the region.
Impact on U.S.-Iran Peace Talks
Israeli officials reportedly told Reuters that Trump has assured Israel that Iran’s existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium would eventually be removed from the country. According to them, this has been presented as a necessary condition for any future peace agreement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also stated that the war against Iran will not end until Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile is removed. In addition, he has demanded an end to Iran’s support for proxy groups and the dismantling of its ballistic missile capabilities as part of the conditions for ending the conflict.