Possible Negotiations on Monday: Iran Talks of "Major Disputes" and Rejects Exporting Enriched Uranium

SadaNews - A senior Iranian official said on Friday that major disputes still exist between Tehran and Washington regarding an agreement aimed at ending the war, adding that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open "is conditional on the United States committing to the ceasefire terms." CBS reported, citing unnamed sources, that "no deadline has been set for the second round of negotiations with Iran, and they may resume on Monday."

The official, who requested anonymity, stated, "No agreement has been reached on the details of the nuclear issues," and that serious negotiations are required to overcome the differences, according to the Reuters news agency.

He pointed out that Tehran hopes to reach a preliminary agreement in the coming days with mediation efforts from Pakistan, with the possibility of extending the ceasefire "to allow for further discussions regarding lifting sanctions on Iran and obtaining compensation for war damages."

He added, "In return, Iran will provide assurances to the international community regarding the peaceful nature of its nuclear program," stressing that any "other narrative regarding the ongoing talks represents a distortion of reality."

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqai stated that "the option of exporting enriched uranium abroad is rejected," adding that "compensation for the damages suffered by the country is crucial in the negotiations."

For his part, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States will work with Iran to recover buried enriched uranium and send it to Washington.

Trump added during a phone interview, "We will work on that together. We will start working with Iran at a calm pace and begin digging using massive machinery... and we will bring it to the United States."

He mentioned that it will happen "very soon" to retrieve what he believes remains after U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, which Trump refers to as "nuclear dust."

It is believed that Iran possesses more than 900 pounds of enriched uranium with a purity reaching 60%. The matter of the Iranian nuclear program is one of the most complicated points in U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Trump stated that one of the main reasons for the war is to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran emphasizes that enriching uranium, a process that can produce fuel for power plants and nuclear warheads depending on duration, is limited to peaceful civil purposes only.

Trump, who appeared very enthusiastic about the possibility of reaching an agreement to end the war, stated that the United States will continue its maritime blockade of Iran until a final agreement is reached.

He added, "I believe the agreement will be reached rapidly. Our relationship with Iran is very good."

He indicated that further talks are needed to reach an agreement and that they will likely take place "at the beginning of the week." He mentioned that he might "possibly" visit Islamabad if an agreement is reached, adding, "I have not made a decision yet."

Trump noted that the United States is working with Iran to remove mines from the strait. In response to a report suggesting that the U.S. is considering a $20 billion deal in exchange for uranium, Trump stated, "That is absolutely untrue. There is no payment of any money."