President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are nearing completion, though major differences remain over the future of Tehran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the continued US naval blockade linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington, April 18 — US President Donald Trump said on Friday that a potential agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme is “very close,” even as Iranian officials publicly rejected one of Washington’s central claims: that the country’s enriched uranium would be transferred out of Iran.
Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump said the United States and Iran could jointly remove enriched uranium material from Iranian nuclear facilities. He described the process in dramatic terms, saying the material would be excavated and moved using large-scale equipment.
Uranium Transfer Emerges as Key Sticking Point
Trump indicated that most major terms of the proposed deal had already been agreed upon and suggested that negotiations could conclude soon.
According to his remarks, the discussions include the handling of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a long-standing issue in international nuclear diplomacy.
However, Iranian officials quickly pushed back, stating that the country’s uranium reserves would not be transferred abroad, directly contradicting Trump’s statement.
The disagreement highlights what appears to be the main unresolved issue in the talks: whether Iran will retain control of its nuclear material or agree to its removal under an international framework.
Strait of Hormuz Reopens, but US Pressure Remains
The diplomatic developments come amid renewed focus on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes, through which nearly 20% of global oil supplies pass.
Iran announced that commercial shipping through the strait had resumed following a fragile ceasefire linked to wider regional tensions involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Despite the reopening, Trump said the US blockade on Iranian ships and ports would remain in place until a final agreement is signed.
He emphasized that while international commercial traffic can continue through Hormuz, military and economic pressure on Tehran will continue until the nuclear arrangement is fully implemented.
Why This Matters
The status of the Strait of Hormuz has immediate implications for global energy markets.
Oil prices have shown signs of stabilizing after Iran’s reopening announcement, reflecting cautious optimism that regional supply disruptions may ease.
At the same time, the dispute over uranium transfer underscores how fragile the negotiations remain.
For Washington, removing enriched uranium from Iran is seen as a key safeguard against future nuclear weapon development. For Tehran, retaining sovereignty over its nuclear assets remains politically and strategically significant.
What Comes Next
Diplomatic observers suggest negotiators may first pursue an interim agreement before moving toward a broader settlement.
Such a framework could include phased sanctions relief, limited unfreezing of Iranian assets, and stricter monitoring of nuclear facilities.
For now, the talks appear to be moving forward, but conflicting public statements from both sides suggest that a final breakthrough will depend on resolving the uranium issue and the terms surrounding maritime security in the Gulf.
As negotiations continue, markets and regional allies are expected to closely monitor whether the current ceasefire and Hormuz reopening can translate into a lasting diplomatic settlement.
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Edited By D.Rishidhar Reddy
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