Trump's Nuclear Dust Ultimatum to Iran: Hand Over or Face Destruction

US President Donald Trump has issued a threat to Iran over nuclear dust, presenting Tehran with the choice of either handing it over or facing destruction.

The latest statement, reported by Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (26 May 2026), was made by Trump on social media platform Truth Social on Monday (25 May) local time, as negotiations to reach a deal to end the war reportedly neared resolution.

“Highly enriched uranium (nuclear dust!) must be handed over to the United States for removal and destruction, or preferably, destroyed on-site or at an acceptable location in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the Atomic Energy Commission or equivalent body witnessing the process and event,” Trump stated.

Iran’s highly enriched uranium and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz have been contentious points in indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Pakistan.

Leading US media outlet the New York Times (NYT), citing Washington officials, previously reported that the US and Iran had reached a preliminary agreement in principle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Tehran’s commitment to destroy its highly enriched uranium.

Deal Not Close

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed Western media reports suggesting a deal between Tehran and Washington is imminent. Although Baghaei acknowledged Iran had reached consensus on many issues in the negotiations.

“It is true that we have concluded most of the issues under discussion. But to say this means a treaty signing is imminent — no one can make such a claim,” Baghaei said at a weekly press conference in Tehran.

Separately, Pakistan, as conflict mediator, continues to push for peace. Pakistan’s military chief, Air Chief Marshal Asim Munir, told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the US-Iran deal is “almost reached”.

Munir made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing on Monday (25 May), coinciding with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to China.

Pushing for Agreement

Prior to flying to Beijing, Munir visited Tehran last week to push for a peace deal to end the war that erupted in late February.

During talks in Beijing, Munir stated Pakistan is willing to “continue all efforts” to facilitate the agreement and expressed hope that China would play a larger role in the process.