Trump swap defiant messages with Iran's leader amid rising tensions
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
A new round of escalation has emerged between Washington and Tehran: the United States demands that Iran hand over its uranium stockpiles under American control, while Iran says it is prepared for military strikes, according to CNN and AP.
White House stance
According to President Donald Trump, the United States wants full control over Iran's nuclear stockpiles. He stressed that if an agreement is signed, the process would be carried out jointly with Tehran.
"If we sign the agreement, then somewhere after we sign the agreement, we are going, with Iran, and we will take it together, and we will bring it back, 100% of it back to the United States," the US president said.
At the same time, he warned of consequences if diplomacy fails. The United States would obtain these stockpiles "in a much more unfriendly form."
"But in any event, we'll get it done," Trump emphasized.
Threats from Tehran, escalation at sea
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said the country's "valiant navy" is fully prepared for confrontation and "ready to inflict new bitter defeats on its enemies."
These militant statements came amid Iran's operational reinstatement of restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Khamenei also praised drone attacks on Israel and US military targets on the anniversary of the founding of Iran's armed forces.
US–Iran talks
Recently, the signs have emerged of a diplomatic breakthrough in relations between Washington and Tehran. Earlier, the media reported that the sides had "agreed in principle" on the terms of a major deal, although several technical issues remained unresolved.
Donald Trump later announced the end of the conflict, saying a deal with Iran could be signed within "a day or two." According to preliminary reports, Tehran agreed to an indefinite suspension of its nuclear program without unfreezing its assets in the United States.
On April 18, the American leader hinted at progress in the talks but also warned that the current truce could still collapse without a final signing if Washington's demands are not fully met.
