Trump: Uranium Removal Should Be Free

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States intends to transport underground uranium reserves from Iran to the United States, but emphasized that no money will be exchanged in the process. The claim was made in a public statement reported by German news outlet DIE ZEIT on April 18, 2026, and pertains to ongoing discussions about Iran’s nuclear program and potential U.S. Actions regarding Iranian nuclear materials.

According to the report, Trump said the movement of uranium from Iran would be carried out without financial compensation, framing it as a security measure rather than a commercial transaction. He did not specify which underground reserves were involved, the quantity of uranium to be moved, or the timeline for such an operation. The statement lacks detail on the legal or diplomatic mechanisms that would authorize the U.S. To remove nuclear material from Iranian territory, particularly given Iran’s sovereignty over its natural resources and the current status of international nuclear agreements.

Iran’s uranium enrichment activities have been a focal point of international concern for over a decade, particularly under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which imposed limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Although the U.S. Withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 under Trump’s first administration, subsequent diplomatic efforts have aimed to revive or replace the framework. As of early 2026, Iran continues to enrich uranium to levels approaching weapons-grade purity, according to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), raising ongoing concerns about proliferation risks.

The idea of transferring Iranian uranium to the United States is not without precedent in concept, though such an action would require complex legal and technical coordination. Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which both the U.S. And Iran are signatories, the transfer of nuclear material between states is subject to safeguards and reporting obligations to the IAEA. Any unilateral removal of uranium from Iran by the U.S. Would likely be viewed as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and could trigger diplomatic condemnation, particularly from countries that support the NPT regime.

Experts note that even if Iran were to consent to such a transfer, the logistical challenges of extracting, securing, and transporting underground uranium deposits would be substantial. Uranium ore must be mined, milled, converted, and enriched before it becomes usable in nuclear applications, and moving raw or partially processed material involves significant radiation safety and security protocols. The absence of financial compensation, as stated by Trump, further complicates the feasibility of the proposal, as it would remove any economic incentive for Iran to cooperate.

No official confirmation of the plan has come from the current U.S. Administration, the Department of Energy, or the National Nuclear Security Administration. Similarly, Iranian officials have not publicly acknowledged any agreement or discussion regarding the transfer of uranium reserves to the United States. The lack of corroborating statements from governmental or international bodies suggests that the claim remains unverified and may reflect political rhetoric rather than an operational policy.

Markets have not shown a significant reaction to the statement, as uranium prices remain influenced more by global demand for nuclear fuel, reactor construction trends, and supply chain dynamics than by geopolitical assertions of this nature. Major uranium producers such as Kazakhstan, Canada, and Australia continue to dominate global supply, while Iranian uranium output remains limited and largely subject to international monitoring.

The claim underscores the continued volatility in U.S.-Iran relations, particularly concerning nuclear issues. While diplomatic channels remain open in various forms, public statements like Trump’s contribute to an environment of uncertainty that can complicate negotiations and affect regional stability. Any future developments regarding Iran’s nuclear material would likely require multilateral engagement, transparency, and adherence to international legal frameworks to be considered credible, and sustainable.