‘No money is changing hands’: Trump rejects $20 billion Iran ‘nuclear dust’ deal claim – The Times of India

After more than a month of Operation Epic Fury, Donald Trump on Friday claimed major breakthroughs in the US military mission against Iran, announcing what he described as the suspension of Tehran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz for “full passage.“The MAGA supremo said the United States would secure what he called “nuclear dust” which he described as enriched uranium from Iran without any financial exchange, while asserting that one of his key objectives, restoring free movement through the Hormuz chokepoint, had been achieved.Trump also declared that Iran’s nuclear ambitions had effectively been shut down and said a broader deal to end the conflict, launched by the US and Israel against Iran in late February, was close to completion. Speaking in a phone interview on Friday, he indicated that talks on a lasting agreement would “probably” take place over the weekend.“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 to Reuters.He referred to “nuclear dust” and added that it would be retrieved “very soon.”Trump’s reference to “nuclear dust” points to what he believes remains after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year. Iran is estimated to possess more than 900 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a level that has long been at the centre of tensions in US-Iran negotiations.While Trump has repeatedly said the war was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Tehran maintains that its uranium enrichment programme is intended solely for peaceful civilian purposes, such as energy generation.Despite his optimism, Trump said the United States would continue its naval blockade of Iran until a final agreement is reached.“I think the deal will go very quickly. We’re getting along very well with Iran,” he said.He added that further negotiations would be required, noting they could take place “probably over the weekend,” and said he “might” travel to Islamabad after a deal is finalised.“I haven’t made that determination,” he said.Trump also stated that Washington is working with Iran to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, signalling steps toward restoring stability in the vital oil transit route.Responding to reports suggesting a $20 billion cash for uranium arrangement, Trump dismissed the claims outright.“It’s totally false. No money is changing hands.”