Saturday, March 29, 2025
Tehran/Washington: April 18, 2026
The ongoing war of words between US President Donald Trump and Iran has taken a dramatic turn. Iran has flatly rejected President Trump’s claims that Tehran is prepared to surrender its uranium stockpile. In a stern response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that its uranium reserves “will remain exactly where they are.” This rebuttal comes just 24 hours after Trump hinted at a second round of direct high-level talks between the US and Iran scheduled for later this weekend.
While President Trump had suggested that a “permanent deal” was within reach, characterizing the negotiations as a total surrender of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Tehran’s latest stance suggests a significant gap between the two sides.
Trump’s Claim: Claimed Iran was ready to hand over enriched materials to secure the lifting of sanctions.
Iran’s Response: Categorized the claim as a misinterpretation of the diplomatic dialogue, emphasizing that national sovereignty over their nuclear program is non-negotiable.
President Trump also claimed on Friday that Iran had agreed to keep the Strait of Hormuz permanently open, calling it a massive step toward stabilizing the global energy flow. However, Iranian officials have remained conspicuously silent, refusing to confirm this claim or provide any long-term guarantees.
This silence has triggered fresh uncertainty in global markets:
Global Impact: Approximately 20% of the world’s crude oil passes through this narrow waterway.
Context: The route was blocked in late February 2026 following strikes by the US and Israel, causing global energy prices to skyrocket and igniting a massive energy crisis.
Current Status: While the passage is currently open under a temporary ceasefire, Iran’s refusal to commit to a permanent reopening remains a major concern for the global market.
