Trump Says Retrieving Iran’s Uranium Will Be ‘Long and Difficult’
Donald Trump has said the recovery of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile will require a “long and difficult process,” as he reiterated claims that U.S. strikes in June 2025 destroyed Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking ahead of renewed diplomatic efforts, Trump maintained that the military operation—referred to as “Operation Midnight Hammer”—had “completely obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities, leaving the remaining uranium buried and difficult to retrieve.
The remarks come amid ongoing tensions and fragile negotiations between the United States and Iran, with talks expected to resume but still lacking firm commitments from Tehran.
However, Trump’s assertions contrast with earlier intelligence assessments, which suggested the 2025 strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear programme by a few months rather than fully destroying it.
Experts say the recovery or removal of enriched uranium—especially if dispersed or hidden—would involve significant technical, logistical, and political challenges, even under cooperative conditions.
