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Trump said retrieving Iran’s uranium would be “long and difficult” after claiming US strikes had caused the “complete and total obliteration” of Tehran’s nuclear sites
Donald Trump speaks about research into mental health treatments in the Oval Office of the White House (Photo: Reuters)
US President Donald Trump said the process of obtaining uranium from Iran would be “long and difficult” following last year’s American strikes on Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, reiterating his claim that US military action had destroyed key facilities.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “Operation Midnight Hammer was a complete and total obliteration of the Nuclear Dust sites in Iran. Therefore, digging it out will be a long and difficult process.”
LIVE Updates On The US-Iran War
Trump also criticised US media coverage of the strikes, accusing major outlets of undermining the role of American pilots involved in the operation.
“Fake News CNN, and other corrupt Media Networks and Platforms, fail to give our great aviators the credit they deserve – Always trying to demean and belittle – LOSERS!!!” he wrote.
According to AFP, Trump has repeatedly used the phrase “nuclear dust” to describe Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, which Washington accuses Tehran of accumulating with the objective of producing an atomic bomb.
The US President has also used the term to refer to material left behind following US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June last year.
Trump has maintained that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile could ultimately be transferred to US territory, although Iran’s foreign ministry has denied any such plan.
The United States and Israel carried out joint strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities on February 28, with Israeli officials describing Tehran’s nuclear programme as “the existential threat” posed by the Islamic Republic.
Israeli officials have said Iran accelerated efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon after the 12-day conflict last June, which included US bombings of three nuclear facilities, including an enrichment plant.
IRAN CONSIDERS TALKS IN PAKISTAN AS CEASEFIRE DEADLINE APPROACHES
Separately, Reuters reported that Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States in Pakistan as diplomatic efforts intensify ahead of the expiry of a two-week ceasefire.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was “positively reviewing” participation in the talks, although no final decision has been made.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that “continued violations of the ceasefire” by the United States present a significant obstacle to progress in negotiations.
Araqchi conveyed Iran’s position during a phone call with Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, stating that Tehran was evaluating all aspects of the situation before deciding its next steps.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, also criticised Washington on X, accusing Trump of increasing pressure on Tehran through what he described as blockade measures and ceasefire violations.
He said Iran rejects negotiations conducted under threat.
The ceasefire, announced by Trump on April 7, is expected to expire this week.
A Pakistani source involved in the talks told Reuters that the truce would end at 8 pm ET on Wednesday, corresponding to midnight GMT or 3.30 am Thursday in Iran.
BLOCKADE AND SHIPPING DISRUPTIONS COMPLICATE DIPLOMACY
Reuters reported that a key sticking point in the diplomatic process is the US blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran sees as a barrier to returning to negotiations.
A Pakistani security source said mediator Field Marshal Asim Munir informed Trump that the blockade posed a major obstacle to talks, with the US president indicating he would consider removing it.
Iran has sought leverage through its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping channel responsible for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Oil prices rose about five per cent amid concerns the ceasefire could collapse, Reuters reported, with shipping traffic through the strait significantly reduced.
US SEIZES IRANIAN VESSEL AMID RISING TENSIONS
Tensions escalated further after the US military said it fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship headed toward Bandar Abbas following a standoff on Sunday.
US Central Command released footage showing Marines descending from helicopters onto the vessel.
Maritime security sources told Reuters the ship was believed to be carrying dual-use materials that could potentially be used for military purposes.
Iran’s military described the interception as “armed piracy” and said the ship had been travelling from China.
Tehran warned it was prepared to respond to what it called “blatant aggression,” although it noted the presence of crew members’ families onboard complicated the situation.
China also expressed concern over the incident, with President Xi Jinping calling for maritime traffic to resume normally and urging a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
UNCERTAINTY OVER POTENTIAL AGREEMENT
Trump has said any future nuclear deal with Iran could surpass the 2015 agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama, from which Washington withdrew in 2018 during Trump’s first term.
Despite Trump’s prediction that an agreement could be reached relatively quickly, officials involved in the discussions have indicated uncertainty remains over whether talks will take place before the ceasefire deadline.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised Washington’s approach, saying “unconstructive and contradictory signals from American officials carry a bitter message; they seek Iran’s surrender.”
“Iranians do not submit to force,” he added.
Pakistan has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel in Islamabad in preparation for potential negotiations, even as uncertainty persists over whether talks will ultimately proceed, Reuters reported.
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April 21, 2026, 09:59 IST
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