Trump: Iran to Hand Over 'Nuclear Dust'; Tehran Pushes Back

President Donald Trump on April 16-17 publicly claimed Iran had agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons program and surrender its enriched uranium stockpile, which he described as "nuclear dust." Iran's Foreign Ministry quickly contradicted the assertion, saying only that messages were being exchanged through Pakistan and that Tehran reserves the right to continue enrichment.

A Sharper Trump Claim

Speaking publicly on April 16-17, Trump said: "They've agreed to give us back the nuclear dust that's way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers." The reference is to Iran's stockpile of approximately 182 kg of 60%-enriched uranium plus lower-grade material, according to reporting in the Washington Post.

Tehran's response was firm. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said messages are being exchanged through Pakistan, but Iran "based on its needs, must be able to continue enrichment." That language stops well short of any handover commitment.

Gap in Negotiating Positions

The two sides remain far apart on duration. The US negotiating position calls for a 20-year suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment. Iran has counter-offered a 5-year suspension, which Washington rejected. Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye continue to mediate, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif touring Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye in recent days to push the talks forward.

The April 22 Deadline

The current ceasefire deadline is April 22, leaving only days to bridge the gap. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 18 urged European countries to quickly decide on whether to reimpose sanctions, warning that Iran is violating the existing framework. With Trump talking up a deal and Tehran walking it back, the next 96 hours will test whether Pakistan's mediation can produce a written agreement or whether the ceasefire architecture begins to fray.