Iran has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran has agreed to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium, with sources saying no such arrangement has been negotiated so far.
A source close to Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said “no form of nuclear material transfer to America has been negotiated," directly contradicting Trump’s assertion.
Another Iranian source rejected the claim outright, calling it “another lie," and added that “no major progress has been made" in the ongoing talks. The source further said that any continuation of negotiations would depend on “compliance with all of Iran’s conditions."
Trump Claimed Breakthrough
The response comes after Trump said the United States and Iran were close to reaching a deal following nearly six weeks of conflict. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he claimed Tehran had agreed to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile.
“They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust," Trump said, referring to enriched uranium that Washington believes could be used in nuclear weapons development. He added that there was a “very good chance" of a deal being finalised.
Trump also indicated that he could travel to Islamabad if an agreement is signed there, suggesting that diplomatic efforts were nearing a decisive stage.
Focus On Nuclear Restrictions
The US President reiterated that any agreement must ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons under any circumstances. He rejected the idea of a time-bound arrangement, such as a temporary halt on uranium enrichment, and stressed that restrictions must be permanent.
“The big thing we have to do is make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, warning that failure to achieve this would lead to significant global consequences. He also claimed that Iran had agreed “very powerfully" to such conditions.
At the same time, Trump said Tehran appeared more flexible in recent negotiations compared to earlier phases, indicating what he described as a shift in Iran’s stance after weeks of military escalation.
Iran Signals No Breakthrough Yet
Despite these claims, Iranian sources indicated that talks remain unresolved and far from a final agreement. They said there has been no substantive progress on key issues, including nuclear material transfers, and suggested that Washington’s statements may be premature.
The sources also emphasised that Iran’s position remains conditional, with any forward movement in negotiations tied to the US meeting specific terms set by Tehran. Details of these conditions have not been made public.
Fragile Diplomatic Phase
The conflicting narratives highlight the fragile nature of ongoing diplomacy between the two countries. While Washington has projected optimism about a potential deal, Tehran’s response suggests that critical differences remain.
The talks come after weeks of heightened tensions and military confrontation, with both sides now attempting to move towards a negotiated outcome. However, the gap between public statements and ground realities indicates that a final agreement may still require further negotiations.
