Washington DC (US), April 18, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Iran, stating that the United States will resort to tougher measures to secure Tehran’s nuclear materials if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail to produce an agreement.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said Washington still prefers a negotiated outcome but made it clear that alternative options remain on the table.
He stressed that the US expects cooperation from Iran in handling sensitive nuclear materials, adding that failure to reach a deal would lead to action taken “in a much more unfriendly way.”
The US President outlined a scenario in which both countries could jointly retrieve and transfer nuclear materials to the United States.
However, he emphasized that even without Iran’s consent, Washington would ensure those materials are secured.
The remarks come amid heightened global attention on tensions between the US and Iran, following weeks of conflict that recently led to a temporary ceasefire aimed at facilitating diplomacy.
Trump reiterated similar claims during a public event in Arizona, suggesting that the operation to recover enriched uranium could involve large-scale logistical efforts.
He maintained that the US remains determined to bring the materials under its control.
However, Tehran has firmly rejected such assertions. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the idea of transferring enriched uranium, stating that it is as integral to Iran as its own territory and will not be handed over under any circumstances.
The exchange highlights deep divisions between the two sides, despite Trump’s earlier claim that negotiations were nearing completion with no major obstacles remaining.
While Washington signals readiness for a deal, Iran’s response suggests significant hurdles still lie ahead.
