Washington, D.C. — May 27, 2026: In a striking development in the ongoing US-Iran war negotiations, President Donald Trump made clear on Wednesday that Iran will receive no sanctions relief in return for giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — drawing one of the sharpest lines yet in the fragile ceasefire talks.
"No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no," Trump told PBS NewsHour in a phone interview. "They're gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief." The remarks signal a hardened U.S. stance as both nations attempt to negotiate an end to the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East for over 12 weeks.
What's on the Table?
According to regional officials and U.S. sources, an emerging deal framework would require Iran to surrender its 440+ kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity — a short technical step from weapons-grade levels — within a 60-day ceasefire window. Some of the material would be diluted, while the rest could be transferred to a third country. Russia has reportedly offered to take it, though Trump has pushed back against that option as well.
At the same cabinet meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a deal was closer than ever, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iran's military capacity — including its naval forces, air force, and defense infrastructure — had been fully dismantled. "Their naval forces are confined to the Persian Gulf basin," Hegseth stated, adding that Iran can no longer produce new drones, ships, or missiles.
Iran's Position
Tehran has not publicly committed to surrendering its uranium. Iranian officials have consistently demanded sanctions relief as a core condition of any agreement, and the two sides continue to clash over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. port blockade, and the future of Iranian frozen assets. Trump was blunt: "No sanctions, no money, no nothing."
Trump's Warning
Trump also cautioned that he would not be pressured by midterm political timelines, warning that if talks collapse, Washington is prepared to "finish the job." Despite the tough talk, the president acknowledged that Iran "very much wants to make a deal" — suggesting back-channel diplomacy remains active even as public positions harden.
The coming days will be critical as both nations weigh the cost of war against the terms of a settlement that neither side has fully accepted yet.