President Donald Trump said the United States is prepared to work alongside Iran to retrieve and destroy its stockpile of highly enriched uranium if a peace agreement is reached to end the three-month-old conflict between the two countries.
Speaking to NBC News, said the US would oversee the process directly.
“If we make a deal that now we’re friendly, we’ll all go together. It’ll be our equipment. We’ll take it out and destroy it, whether it’s on-site or whether we take it off-site,” was quoted as saying.
added that if negotiations fail, the US would further weaken Iran militarily before securing the material independently.
“And we will go with them, or without them. But we won’t have people shooting at us,” Trump said. “Now, if we don’t make a deal, then we’re going to take them out militarily very harshly.”
Space Force surveillance capabilities
Trump also highlighted US surveillance capabilities, claiming that American space-based technology can closely monitor Iranian nuclear sites.
“We have cameras on it, all over it. If anybody walked there, I would be able to read your first name on your lapel,” Trump told the news outlet.
He credited the capability to the US Space Force, describing it as “pretty amazing technology.”
Nuclear deal negotiations near completion
According to Trump, Washington and Tehran are “very close” to reaching an agreement, though he continues to push for stronger restrictions.
The President said Iran has already accepted language prohibiting the development of nuclear weapons, but he wants additional wording that would also ban Iran from purchasing or otherwise acquiring nuclear weapons.
“They don’t have the right to develop or purchase, acquire or buy,” Trump said.
He acknowledged that Iranian negotiators initially resisted the proposal but later appeared to accept it.
Comments on Iran’s new leadership
Trump described Iran’s new leadership as more pragmatic following the and several senior officials during the conflict.
According to Trump, , now plays a role in approving any agreement and has been involved in discussions surrounding a potential deal.
“Younger. I think more rational,” said when comparing Mojtaba Khamenei to his father.
Trump also claimed that the younger Khamenei has suffered serious injuries during the conflict but declined to provide details about his whereabouts.
Troops to remain in the region
Despite a , Trump said approximately 50,000 US troops deployed in the region will remain in place until negotiations are completed.
“I think we’ll keep them there until such time as we have a completion,” he told NBC News.
The President argued that maintaining the military presence provides leverage in negotiations and ensures regional stability.
Criticism of previous Iran policy
Trump again criticized the , arguing that it provided Iran with financial benefits while failing to permanently eliminate nuclear risks.
He said any future agreement would not immediately include the release of frozen Iranian assets.
“That comes after,” Trump said. “If they behave, if they do a good job, we start talking.”
The President maintained that withdrawing from the Obama-era agreement during his first term was the correct decision and said current negotiations offer a better opportunity for a lasting arrangement.
Iran’s military and economic situation
Trump claimed US and Israeli operations have severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities.
“Look, we have totally destroyed their military,” he said.
He estimated that Iran retains only about “21%, 22%” of its prewar missile stockpile and described the country’s economy as severely weakened.
According to Trump, sustained pressure will increase Tehran’s incentive to finalize an agreement.
Economic impact and oil prices
The President acknowledged that the conflict has contributed to higher fuel and fertilizer prices, partly because of disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.
However, he argued that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon justifies the economic costs.
“I’m going to get rid of a nuclear weapon in the hands of very dangerous people,” Trump said.
He predicted that energy prices would decline once a permanent settlement is reached.
“When we have a completion, you will see things like you’ve never seen. The oil will go down,” Trump told NBC News.
