• President Trump says a nuclear deal with Iran could be finalized before his trip to China next week, with a framework that includes transferring enriched uranium to the U.S.
  • He warned that military action would resume if talks fail, but expressed optimism that the conflict could end soon.
  • The potential agreement would require Iran to halt parts of its nuclear program and send enriched uranium to the U.S., though details remain unclear.

Iran Deal Hinges on Uranium Transfer, Trump Says

President Donald Trump said the Iran conflict has a “very good chance” of ending as the U.S. nears a deal that would require Iran to send enriched uranium to the U.S. and halt parts of its nuclear program. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump cautioned that progress isn’t certain and warned that military action would resume if talks fail, but said an agreement could come before his trip to China next week.

“We’re very close to a deal, and if we get it, it will be a great thing for both countries,” Trump said. A person familiar with the discussions confirmed that the framework under discussion includes the transfer of enriched uranium stocks to the U.S. as a confidence-building measure, along with verifiable limits on enrichment levels. Iran’s public stance on the proposed terms remains unclear, and attempts to reach Iran’s mission to the UN for comment were unsuccessful.

The talks represent a rare diplomatic opening in a long-running standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Trump’s approach blends public optimism with a continued military buildup, a strategy that has drawn both praise and skepticism from analysts. “Trump’s willingness to negotiate is a positive signal, but the devil is always in the details—especially on verification and sanctions relief,” said Henry Rome, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Any potential easing of sanctions could influence oil markets, given Iran’s role in global energy supply. Crude futures edged lower on Thursday on news of the possible deal, though analysts caution that volatility remains high. A durable agreement would likely require consensus among major powers and robust enforcement mechanisms, both of which have proven elusive in past negotiations.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the type of material to be transferred. It is enriched uranium, not plutonium.