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    US to recover uranium from Iran at a 'leisurely pace', Trump tells Reuters

    Synopsis

    President Donald Trump announced the United States will collaborate with Iran to retrieve its enriched uranium. He stated the process will be leisurely and the material will be brought back to America. Trump mentioned "nuclear dust" would be retrieved soon. He also confirmed the US naval blockade against Iran will continue until an agreement is finalized.

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    US to recover uranium from Iran at a 'leisurely pace', Trump tells ReutersAgencies
    US to recover uranium from Iran at a 'leisurely pace', Trump tells Reuters
    WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that ​the U.S. will work ​with Iran to recover its enriched uranium and bring ​it back to the United States.

    "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.

    He referred to "nuclear dust" and added that it would be retrieved "very soon."


    Trump's mention of "nuclear dust" is a ​reference to what he believes remains after the United States and Israel bombed Iran's nuclear installations in June last year.

    Also Read: Iran agreed to never close Strait of Hormuz, claims Trump, as Tehran sets ceasefire deadline

    Iran is believed to possess ​more than 900 pounds of uranium enriched ⁠up to ‌60% purity. The issue of Iran's nuclear program has ​been one ​of the thorniest issues in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

    Trump has said a ⁠primary reason for the war was to prevent Iran ​from getting a nuclear weapon. Iran says its enrichment ​of uranium - a process that produces fuel for power plants and nuclear warheads depending on its duration - is strictly for peaceful civilian use.

    Trump, clearly excited at the prospect of a deal to end the war, said the U.S. will maintain its naval blockade against Iran until an ‌agreement is finalized.

    "I think the deal will go very quickly. We're getting along very well with Iran," he said.

    Trump said ​more talks ​will be needed to ⁠reach a deal and that these would take place "probably over the weekend." He added that he "might" go to Islamabad once a deal is made.

    "I haven't ​made that determination," he said.

    Also Read: Trump signals Iran deal near, more talks likely this weekend; floats Islamabad visit plan

    Trump also said the United States was working with Iran to remove mines from the strait.

    Responding to a report that the United States was considering a $20 billion cash for uranium deal, Trump said: "It's totally false. No money is changing hands."

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