- U.S. President Donald Trump also reaffirmed Washington’s position on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium
- We have seen positive signals, but it is still too early to be overly optimistic
- A senior Iranian source told Reuters that while no agreement had been reached
The United States and Iran maintained opposing positions on Thursday over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and its control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite indications of progress in ongoing negotiations.
Eko Hot Blog reports that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been encouraging developments in the talks but cautioned against premature optimism.
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Speaking to reporters, Rubio said a diplomatic resolution would become difficult if Iran moved ahead with plans to impose tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, though he noted that discussions had shown “some good signs.”
“We have seen positive signals, but it is still too early to be overly optimistic. We need to observe developments over the coming days,” he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump also reaffirmed Washington’s position on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, insisting the United States would eventually take control of the material.
Trump stated that the uranium, which Washington suspects could be used for nuclear weapons production, would likely be destroyed after being secured. Iran, however, continues to maintain that its nuclear activities are intended solely for peaceful purposes.
“We will get it. We don’t need it or want it, and we will probably destroy it after obtaining it, but Iran will not be allowed to keep it,” Trump said at the White House.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that while no agreement had been reached, negotiations had narrowed the differences between both sides.
The source identified uranium enrichment and Iran’s authority over the Strait of Hormuz as key unresolved issues in the discussions.
Meanwhile, oil prices fluctuated during Thursday’s trading session as uncertainty surrounding the prospects of ending the conflict continued to weigh on global markets.
Two senior Iranian sources also told Reuters before Trump’s remarks that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had directed that the country’s uranium stockpile should not be transferred abroad.
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