US-Iran Talks Next Week, Nuclear Agreement May Be On Table: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States and Iran "may sign an agreement" regarding Tehran's nuclear programme when the two sides meet for talks next week, but was quick to add that it's "not necessary". President Trump's announcement comes a day after he declared a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

"The way I look at it, they fought the war. It's done. I could get a statement that they're not going to go nuclear. We're probably going to ask for that. But they're not going to be doing it," President Trump said, adding that "We're going to talk to Iran next week, we may even sign an agreement, (though) to me, I don't think it's necessary."

Little over 48 hours ago, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had said that by joining Israel in its military offensive against Iran, the United States had "betrayed" diplomacy, suggesting that no further dialogue is possible with Washington.

WHAT THE US INTELLIGENE ASSESSMENT SUGGESTS

President Trump reiterated on Wednesday that the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were necessary and have dealt a crushing blow to Tehran's ambitions to have enough enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon. His remarks came despite a US intelligence assessment stating that the precision strikes have only inflicted a marginal setback.

US's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the President's claim of a "crushing blow" by saying that the leaked intelligence assessment claiming Iran only suffered a delay of a few months due to US' strikes was just "prelimnary" in nature and is of "low confidence".

MYSTERY OF THE 'MISSING URANIUM'?

Meanwhile, the United States and Israel are on a hunt for more than 400 kg of enriched uranium in Iran, which is enough to make at least 10 nuclear bombs. The 'missing' stockpile of uranium is reportedly 60 per cent enriched, and at 90 per cent, it can be used in nuclear weapons.

Satellite photos and sources indicate that Iran most likely moved the uranium, and possibly some equipment to continue enrichment, to a secret location days before American B-2 'Spirit' bombers dropped 'bunker busters' on Fordrow, Natanz, and Isfahan, causing significant damage and destruction.

While red flags have been raised about the unknown location of the uranium, US Vice President JD Vance and other senior members of the Trump administration have privately admitted that they do not know, at this time, where the 'missing' uranium could be.

TEHRAN'S PLAN TO RESTART URANIUM ENRICHMENT

After the precision strikes on its nuclear facilities by the United States, Iran said it had taken "necessary measures" to ensure that the programme continues. "We have taken necessary measures and are taking stock of the damage caused by the strikes," Mohd Eslami, chief of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said in a televised address.

"Plans for restarting (the facilities) have been prepared in advance," he said, underlining Tehran's determined effort to continue enriching uranium despite US threats, "Our strategy is to ensure production is not disrupted," he said.

BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE

President Trump has now said that with a ceasefire in place, there is a chance to redraw Iran's nuclear ambitions within acceptable limits. Without sharing the details of the meeting, Trump said that the meeting between top officials of his administration and that of the Iranian regime will take place "next week". He even hinted that a newly drafted agreement may also be tabled at the meeting. "We may even sign an agreement, I don't know," he said.

Earlier this month, in an interview to Fox News, President Trump had said, "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back", in reference to some of the Iranian leaders who were killed in the airstrikes.

A LENIENT APPROACH?

Explaining his outlook over the current situation, President Trump had said, "Look, it's very simple. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. I want them to be tremendous. We'll help them succeed, we'll trade with them, we'll do whatever is necessary."

In another sudden announcement on Tuesday, Trump had said that China may continue to buy oil from Iran, suggesting that his administration will relax the crushing sanctions imposed on Tehran - indicating a somewhat more accommodative stance.