President Donald J. Trump said the United States will try to remove "nuclear dust" from Iran as part of any future deal [1].
This proposal signals a shift toward aggressive leverage in nuclear negotiations, potentially complicating efforts to maintain regional stability while the U.S. seeks to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Speaking at a White House press briefing in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2026, the president said the extraction of nuclear materials is a necessity for a diplomatic agreement [2]. "We want Iran's nuclear dust as part of any deal with Tehran," Trump said [3].
The statement comes amid a complex diplomatic environment. A 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran has begun [4]. During this period, the administration is balancing the prospect of cooperation with high-pressure demands. Trump said the United States will work closely with Iran and discuss sanctions moving forward [5].
However, the demand for "nuclear dust" suggests a more adversarial approach than the language of close cooperation implies. The administration is using the prospect of extracting nuclear material as leverage in upcoming negotiations and ceasefire talks [6].
Beyond nuclear concerns, the administration has proposed other stringent financial measures. A toll for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has been set at $1,000,000 per ship [7]. These measures together reflect a strategy of maximum pressure intended to force concessions from the Iranian government.
The White House has not yet detailed the technical or legal framework for how the removal of such materials would be executed, whether through diplomatic handover or other means.
“"We will try to remove nuclear dust from Iran."”
The demand for the removal of 'nuclear dust' indicates that the U.S. is prioritizing the physical elimination of nuclear traces and materials over simple treaty-based limits. By pairing this demand with a short-term ceasefire and a high-cost maritime toll in the Strait of Hormuz, the administration is employing a 'carrot-and-stick' approach to force Iran into a comprehensive agreement that may include total disarmament.
