U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday, April 16 that negotiations between the United States and Iran have made progress, and the two sides are close to reaching an agreement. He said Iran has agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile.
According to NDTV, Trump told reporters at the White House that day: “Iran has agreed to return the nuclear dust to us.” He used the term “nuclear dust” to refer to Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, emphasizing that these materials could be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.
Trump said the current U.S.-Iran talks are going very well and are highly likely to produce an agreement.
He noted that once a deal is reached, oil transportation will return to normal, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, and global energy supply pressures are expected to ease.
He also revealed that if the final agreement is signed in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, he may personally attend the signing.
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However, the previous round of talks held in Islamabad did not produce a breakthrough. The two sides held marathon discussions lasting 21 hours, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement. The U.S. side said the main sticking point was Iran’s refusal to give up its uranium enrichment rights.
On specific terms, there remain significant differences between the two sides. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. demands Iran freeze uranium enrichment activities for 20 years, while Iran is only willing to accept a five-year limit at most. Previously, Iran had proposed suspending enrichment for up to five years, but this was rejected by the Trump administration. Earlier still, the U.S. had demanded that Iran permanently halt all domestic uranium enrichment to fully block its path toward developing nuclear weapons.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said that as long as Iran meets the U.S.-defined “red lines,” the agreement “could be a very good outcome for both countries.”
Meanwhile, Trump also told reporters on the White House South Lawn that a new round of talks could take place over the weekend.
US defense secretary: blockade on Iran to continue until goals are met
Earlier on Thursday, U.S. War Secretary Hegseth warned at a Pentagon press briefing that the blockade on Iranian ports would be maintained until objectives are achieved. He also issued a warning to Iran’s regime, urging it to make a wise decision and reach a deal, otherwise it would face continued blockade, and its infrastructure, electricity, and energy facilities would be bombed.
“The Pentagon will ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons,” Hegseth said.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine reiterated Hegseth’s remarks, saying: “I want to emphasize that during this temporary ceasefire, the U.S. joint force remains on high alert and ready to resume large-scale combat operations at any time.”
On whether the ceasefire would be extended, U.S. lawmakers also sent a stronger signal. Senator Lindsey Graham said that after speaking with Trump, he is confident the United States will not extend the current ceasefire arrangement.
Graham stated that the U.S. core demands are clear: Iran must stop supporting terrorism and must not continue any uranium enrichment activities. He also said Iran should surrender about 600 to 900 pounds of 60 percent highly enriched uranium and ensure that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is not disrupted.
“If those two things are done, I support lifting the blockade,” he said.
Graham also revealed that Trump is deeply involved in the negotiations and praised his strategy of imposing a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz as highly effective.