The president claims US airstrikes have severely impacted Iran's nuclear capabilities, while an international agency remains unaware of uranium locations.
On Wednesday, President Trump announced that US officials are scheduled to meet with their Iranian counterparts next week.
This meeting comes in the wake of recent US airstrikes that Trump asserts have resulted in Iran’s enriched uranium being buried under "30 stories" of rubble.
The announcement was made during a press conference that followed the annual NATO summit held in The Hague.
While Trump expressed optimism regarding potential agreements, he noted, "I don’t care if I have an agreement or not." The exact location of the upcoming meeting and the identity of US representatives were not disclosed.
The president described the situation at Iran's Fordow enrichment site, claiming that nearly 900 pounds of enriched uranium remain beneath around 300 feet of debris following the strikes, which he characterized as a significant blow against Iranian nuclear ambitions.
He suggested that the material is difficult to move and is likely still at the site, despite previous concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi stated that the agency lacks information on the current location of Iran’s enriched uranium.
He clarified that the uranium is enriched to 60% purity, which is below the threshold of 90-93% needed for nuclear weapons.
During the press conference, Trump drew controversial comparisons between the recent military actions and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, claiming that the impact of the airstrikes was substantial in bringing about a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.
A leaked Defense Intelligence Agency report suggested that the US airstrikes may not have significantly hindered Iran’s nuclear program in the long term, a statement Trump dismissed as a mere guess.
In support of the US actions, the Israel Atomic Energy Commission released a statement asserting that the airstrikes had destroyed critical infrastructure at the Fordow site and rendered it inoperable.
The situation is further complicated by questions surrounding the enforcement of oil sanctions against Iran.
Trump commented that China may continue to purchase oil from Iran, hinting at the financial needs of the country as it recovers from the recent conflicts.
The unfolding situation continues to draw significant international attention amid ongoing tensions in the region.