US President Donald Trump told CBS on Friday that Iran has agreed to cease funding Hamas and Hezbollah, and will work with the United States to remove its enriched uranium.
Iran has "agreed to everything," said Trump, insisting that "our people" will be involved in the retrieval of Iranian uranium.
Trump noted that the uranium would be brought to the US, emphasizing that no US ground troops would be involved in its retrieval.
"No troops," said Trump. "...Our people, together with the Iranians, are going to work together to go get it. And then we'll take it to the United States."
Trump added that a meeting between Iran and the US is planned for this weekend, with the current US blockade against Iranian traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to remain until a deal is reached. Trump had stated in a Truth Social post earlier on Friday that the US will maintain its blockade on Iranian ports until an agreement is finalized.
Trump further denied reports that the US would be releasing frozen Iranian assets as part of a deal, saying that the US would not pay Iran "10 cents" for its enriched uranium. Reuters reported later on Friday that Trump said no money would change hands as part of a deal being negotiated to end the war in Iran.
Iran is believed to possess more than 900 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. Iran's nuclear program has been one of the thorniest issues in the negotiations. Trump has said a primary reason for the war was to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. Iran says its enrichment of uranium, a process that produces fuel for power plants and nuclear warheads depending on its duration, is strictly for peaceful civilian use.
Trump to Reuters: US will work with Iran to recover uranium
Trump's comments to CBS followed comments to Reuters earlier on Friday that the US will work with Iran to recover its enriched uranium and bring it back to the United States.
"We're going to get it together. We're going to go in with Iran, at a nice leisurely pace, and go down and start excavating with big machinery... We'll bring it back to the United States," Trump said during a phone interview.
He said "nuclear dust" would be retrieved "very soon," referring to what he believes remains after the United States and Israel bombed Iran's nuclear installations in June last year.
Iran is believed to possess more than 900 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. Iran's nuclear program has been one of the thorniest issues in the negotiations.
A Pakistani source involved in mediating between the US and Iran said there was progress in backdoor diplomacy and that an upcoming meeting could result in the signing of a memorandum of understanding, followed by a comprehensive deal within 60 days.
"Both sides are agreeing in principle. And technical bits come later," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Additionally, Trump said the United States was working with Tehran to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz.