Trump Reportedly Says Iran to Forgo Frozen Funds, Accept Indefinite Nuclear Halt
Iran would not receive any previously frozen US funds under a proposed agreement in which Tehran has agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely, President Donald Trump reportedly said Friday, according to multiple news reports.Trump said during a phone interview that a deal to end the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran that began in late February is largely complete, with remaining talks on a final agreement expected "probably" this weekend, Bloomberg reported on Friday."Most of the main points are finalized. It'll go pretty quickly," Trump reportedly said.In a Friday Truth Social post, Trump said, "The USA will get all nuclear 'Dust,' created by our great B2 Bombers - no money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form."The post followed a report by Axios suggesting the administration was considering the release of up to $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for Tehran relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium.Iran has not publicly confirmed any agreement beyond discussions related to reopening the Strait of Hormuz, nor addressed Trump's earlier assertions that Tehran had made concessions on its nuclear program, Bloomberg reported.A senior Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, said significant differences remain between the sides and that no agreement has been reached on the details of nuclear issues. The official said serious negotiations would still be required to resolve outstanding gaps.The official also said Tehran hopes a preliminary understanding could be reached in the coming days through mediation by Pakistan, and that a ceasefire extension could be used to "create space for more talks on lifting sanctions on Iran and securing compensation for war damages," Reuters reported.Trump also said on Friday that the US would work with Iran to recover enriched uranium and return it to the US as part of any broader settlement aimed at ending the conflict, according to Reuters. The status of Iran's nuclear program remains a central sticking point in the talks.Subsequently, news outlets reported that a spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry said the enriched uranium was going nowhereTrump reportedly said he has not yet decided who will lead the US delegation in the upcoming negotiations with Iranian officials.He said Vice President J D Vance led discussions with Iranian officials last weekend and that he is considering sending Vance again, along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, Bloomberg reported, adding that Trump said he may travel to Pakistan, which hosted the previous round of negotiations.Asked whether restrictions on Iran's nuclear program would expire after 20 years, Trump reportedly rejected that premise, saying, "No years, unlimited."However, a senior official in Tehran reportedly said that Iran's enriched uranium will not be sent abroad.In remarks to Iranian state television, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that transferring uranium to the US has never been presented as an option.Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to' request for comment.