Donald Trump has claimed that Iranian negotiators told him the United States may need to retrieve nuclear material from Iran’s damaged facilities because Tehran allegedly does not possess the required technology to recover it.
Speaking during ongoing discussions related to Iran’s nuclear programme and regional tensions, Trump referred to the material as “nuclear dust” and suggested it remained buried under facilities damaged during earlier military operations. He said Iranian representatives indicated that recovering the material would be technically difficult.
However, Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed Trump’s statement or acknowledged seeking American assistance for recovery operations at the damaged sites.
The remarks come amid continuing tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities and fragile diplomatic negotiations involving the United States and regional countries. The issue of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains one of the central disagreements in ongoing discussions connected to ceasefire efforts and future nuclear arrangements.
Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and uranium reserves continue to pose a major security concern for Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful civilian purposes.
Recent negotiations between Iran and the United States have also focused on sanctions relief, regional security and maritime stability in the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic efforts involving intermediaries, including Pakistan and Gulf states, are continuing as tensions remain high across West Asia.
No independent international agency has publicly confirmed the present condition or recoverability of the nuclear material reportedly buried beneath damaged Iranian facilities.