On Saturday, former President Donald Trump revealed plans for the signing of a new nuclear deal with Iran, set for Sunday, June 14. He announced on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz would be "open for all" immediately following the signing.
Despite the Iranian government initially rejecting the possibility of an agreement on Sunday, Trump described the deal as "a wall against any nuclear weapon," contrasting it with the JCPOA from the Obama era, which he criticized as "a straightforward and attractive path to a nuclear weapon that Iran could have had six years ago and potentially used by now."
Trump emphasized that Iran "no longer desires a nuclear weapon and will not obtain one, whether through purchase, development, or any other means." He pointed out that unlike Obama's agreement—which involved payouts including $1.7 billion in cash—this new pact involves "no exchange of funds."
The Fate of "Nuclear Dust"
One of the most notable aspects of the announcement is the mention of "nuclear dust." Trump explained that at the right moment, the U.S. would retrieve the nuclear material buried beneath Iran's granite mountains—a legacy of previous B-2 bomber strikes—to either dilute it or destroy it, whether in Iran or the United States.
"When the time is right, when everything is calm, we will go to collect the nuclear dust buried deep under the mighty sunken granite mountains, thanks to our magnificent B-2 bombers and their brilliant pilots, and we will mix and destroy it, either in Iran or in the USA," Trump stated.
Initial Steps and Economic Implications
According to sources within the administration cited by American media, an initial phase of the agreement would extend the ceasefire for 60 days. During this time, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dismantle its nuclear materials, and cease support for regional terrorist groups. If Iran meets specific conditions, it may gain access to billions in frozen assets.
Vice President JD Vance was clear: "Iran will not receive funds or cash for signing the agreement; they must fulfill their obligations before seeing any economic benefits."
Iran's Response and Regional Tensions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that the agreement "had never been closer" but urged the media to refrain from speculating about its contents. As of Trump's announcement, Iran had not officially confirmed the signing.
The announcement follows months of tense negotiations, ultimatums, and military confrontations between the U.S. and Iran, including B-2 bombings of Iranian facilities and a naval embargo imposed in April.
On the same day as the announcement, Iran launched drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for approximately 20% of the world's oil, escalating tensions during the negotiation process.
Last Wednesday, Trump had already hinted at a "major deal" with Iran and canceled planned military strikes, suggesting that the memorandum was "practically finalized."
Trump concluded his message with a subtle warning: "We look forward to working with Iran and the entire Middle East in the future. If the process doesn’t work, we have the ultimate alternative, which we hope never to use again."
Key Questions About the Iran Nuclear Agreement
What are the main components of the new nuclear deal with Iran?
The deal includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, dismantling Iran's nuclear materials, and ceasing support for regional terrorist groups. Iran may gain access to frozen assets if it meets specific conditions.
What is the significance of the "nuclear dust" mentioned by Trump?
"Nuclear dust" refers to nuclear material buried under granite mountains in Iran, which the U.S. plans to retrieve and destroy, reducing its potential threat.
How does this agreement differ from the JCPOA?
Unlike the JCPOA, this deal involves no financial exchanges and emphasizes preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons by any means.