Washington – In a proposal that shifts the scales of traditional negotiations, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States might seek to acquire what he called Iranian “nuclear dust” as part of any future settlement. Speaking in a Fox News interview, Trump explained that any potential deal must include full Washington control over remaining nuclear materials, emphasizing that his country’s red line is preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon under any circumstances. These remarks came after Trump canceled his envoys’ visit to Pakistan for peace talks, asserting that Washington now holds “all the cards” in this confrontation.
Operation “Midnight Hammer”: Did US Strikes Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Facilities?
Analysts linked Trump’s “nuclear dust” comments to Operation “Midnight Hammer” and the airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities last summer. Obviously, Trump uses this term to refer to the uranium residue and radioactive materials at bombed sites, describing their recovery as a “long and arduous process.” As a result, experts believe Washington aims to turn these materials into “negotiating leverage” to ensure Tehran cannot rebuild its atomic program from the rubble, placing immense pressure on the Iranian institutional and technical structure amid current tensions.
Negotiations Under Siege: Trump Demands “The Telephone” to End War with Tehran
These developments come as Trump affirmed that “Iran can call us if they want to negotiate,” suggesting that future talks should be direct via telephone instead of long-distance travel. Amid the tight naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and the US Navy’s de-mining operations, observers see the “nuclear dust” proposal as part of a new maximum pressure strategy to force the Iranian regime into major concessions. Accordingly, mystery remains regarding the legal framework of this proposal, while international circles await Tehran’s reaction, as the regime continues to refuse negotiations under pressure and siege.
