Trump Says Iran Agrees to Hand Over Enriched Uranium Stockpile

President claims Iran has agreed to give up its nuclear materials, paving way for resumed peace talks.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:22pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty nuclear reactor control panel, with warm sunlight streaming through a window and deep shadows cast across the equipment, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation around the complex geopolitical issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program.As nuclear diplomacy between the U.S. and Iran continues, the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains a key point of contention.Las Vegas Today

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran has agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a significant step toward reviving stalled nuclear negotiations between the two countries. Trump said Iran has also agreed not to develop a nuclear weapon, though Iran has not yet confirmed the claims.

Why it matters

The transfer of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile would mark major progress in efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a key U.S. foreign policy priority. However, doubts remain about the reliability of Iran's commitments given its past denials about the purpose of its nuclear program.

The details

Trump said Iran had agreed 'very powerfully' that it would not develop a nuclear weapon and would 'give us back the nuclear dust that's way underground because of the attack we made with the B2 bombers [in 2025].' This refers to around 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium that the U.N. nuclear watchdog says is now entombed deep underground after U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites last year. While handing over the uranium stockpile would be a significant step, the U.S. still wants Iran to end all uranium enrichment to ensure it cannot develop a nuclear weapon.

  • In June 2025, the U.S. conducted airstrikes against three key Iranian nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs.
  • On April 17, 2026, President Trump announced Iran had agreed to hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who announced Iran's agreement to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile.

Iran

The Middle Eastern country that reportedly agreed to give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a key step in nuclear negotiations with the U.S.

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What they’re saying

“So very important that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, and they've agreed to that. Iran's agreed to that, and they've agreed to it very powerfully.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“We're very close to a deal. They've agreed to almost everything. So maybe, if they can get to the table with a pen, we'll have that over with.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

The U.S. and Iran are expected to resume nuclear negotiations as early as this weekend following Trump's announcement about Iran's agreement to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile.

The takeaway

While the reported agreement to transfer Iran's enriched uranium stockpile represents progress, significant doubts remain about the reliability of Iran's commitments given its past denials about the purpose of its nuclear program. Ongoing negotiations will be critical to ensuring Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.