US Vows to Seize Iran’s Enriched Uranium as Nuclear Tensions Escalate

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will not allow Iran to retain its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, declaring that Washington has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz through a naval blockade.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “We have total control of Strait of Hormuz with our blockade. Iran will not get nuclear weapon or we’ll do something drastic.”

The president elaborated that no ship has been able to pass through the strategic waterway without U.S. approval. “There hasn’t been a ship that’s been able to get through without our approval, and the Navy has done an amazing job,” Trump said. “No ship is going to Iran. No ship is going in or out of Iran without our approval.”

Regarding Iran’s nuclear material, Trump vowed: “We will get it. We don’t need it. We don’t want it. We’ll probably destroy it after we get it, but we’re not going to let them have it.”

Trump added that Iran is losing close to $500 million per day as a result of the blockade.

When asked whether he plans to attend his son’s wedding this weekend, Trump said he would try to make it, though the timing was difficult because he is “occupied with the war in Iran.” He remarked, “If I do attend, I get killed. If I don’t attend, I get killed by the fake news.”

Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism that the Pakistan Army chief’s visit to Tehran would advance diplomacy on ending the war. “The president’s preference is to do a good deal. That’s his preference. It’s always been his preference,” Rubio told reporters.

However, conflicting reports have emerged. A Saudi media outlet claimed the Pakistani official would not travel to Iran, while Iranian media said the visit aimed to continue talks with Iranian authorities. A report by Al Arabiya alleged that a final draft of a U.S.-Iran agreement has been reached, including an immediate ceasefire, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, gradual sanctions relief, and negotiations on outstanding issues. But a senior Iranian official told Reuters that while talks are progressing, no deal has been reached yet, with differences narrowing to Iran’s uranium enrichment and its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Republicans in the United States called off a vote on an Iran war resolution that was on the verge of passing. As it became clear Republicans would not have the numbers to defeat the bill, GOP leaders declined to hold a vote, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats.

Peter Kuznick, professor of history and director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University, said the parties are at a stalemate. “They’ve been stuck in the same place for six weeks since the ceasefire began. Neither side is budging,” Kuznick said. He noted Trump is in a difficult position, with approval ratings dropping and support for the war below 30%.

“He’s capable of lashing out in a very reckless way,” Kuznick warned, pointing to recent nuclear threats. He noted that Iran knows it has Trump where it wants him, citing a CIA report that Iran can hold out for three to four months under the blockade. “The United States is under a lot of pressure, as is the world economy,” Kuznick added. “People in India are suffering. Farmers in India are suffering, all across the world.”