By Ginika Igboke
U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 8 that Washington will work closely with Iran’s new leadership to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear capabilities as part of a broader push toward a lasting peace agreement.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described recent political changes in Iran as a “very productive” shift, claiming the new leadership has pledged to halt uranium enrichment. He said the United States would collaborate with Tehran to locate and remove deeply buried remnants of enriched uranium stockpiles—referred to as “nuclear dust”—believed to be stored in underground facilities previously targeted by U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Trump added that these materials are under strict satellite surveillance and asserted that nothing has been moved since the attacks. He also indicated that negotiations would extend beyond nuclear disarmament to include potential tariff reductions and sanctions relief, signaling economic incentives tied to compliance.
Concerns Over Near Weapons-Grade Uranium
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses roughly 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity—just below weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has warned that, if further enriched, this stockpile could be sufficient for up to 10 nuclear weapons.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, the IAEA and Western governments have long asserted that Tehran previously operated a coordinated weapons program, which they say ended in 2003.
Inspections have been disrupted since June 2025, when joint U.S.–Israeli strikes damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, air defenses, and military leadership. Since then, inspectors have been unable to verify the current status of highly enriched uranium reserves.
Grossi has indicated that significant quantities—around 440 pounds—are believed to be stored in underground tunnels near Isfahan, with additional stockpiles at facilities in Natanz and Fordo. The possibility of undisclosed storage sites remains unclear.
U.S. Intelligence and Monitoring Efforts
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers in March that the intelligence community has “high confidence” in its knowledge of the locations of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.
Iranian officials have not publicly responded to Trump’s claim that Tehran has agreed to cooperate with Washington in recovering and surrendering the buried material.
Nuclear Disarmament a for Peace Deal
U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that eliminating Iran’s nuclear capability remains a non-negotiable condition for any agreement.
“It’s always been non-negotiable that they won’t have nuclear capabilities,” Hegseth said during an April 8 briefing.
He confirmed that much of Iran’s enriched uranium is believed to be buried and under surveillance, adding that Tehran will either hand it over voluntarily or face potential U.S. action.
“They will either give it to us, or if we have to act ourselves, we reserve that option,” he said.
Hegseth also echoed Trump’s description of a shift in Iran’s leadership, suggesting that recent U.S. military pressure has changed Tehran’s approach to negotiations.
Cease-Fire Opens Door for Diplomacy
The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week cease-fire on April 8, creating a window for negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace deal.
While the situation remains fluid, the proposed cooperation on nuclear disarmament marks a significant development in efforts to reduce tensions and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
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