Trump says U.S. will get Iran’s enriched uranium

President Donald Trump said the United States will get Iran’s highly enriched uranium, adding that Washington does not need it and does not want it. He said the material would probably be destroyed after it is obtained, but that the U.S. would not leave it with Iran.

Asked by a reporter whether Iran could keep its highly enriched uranium, Trump replied: "No, no.. we will get this highly enriched uranium.. we do not need it, and we do not want it, and we will probably destroy it after we get it, but we will not leave it to them". He also said: "We are negotiating now, and we will see what happens, but we will get it one way or another. They will not have a nuclear weapon".

Rubio backs a possible deal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that "the president prefers to reach a good deal with Iran... I am not here to tell you that it will definitely happen, but I am here to tell you that we will do our best to see whether we can reach a deal". He also said: "The president has been clear. If we cannot reach a good deal then he has other options".

Before traveling to attend the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Sweden, Rubio said Trump was "very upset" with member states that had not allowed the U.S. to use bases on their territory for the war, pointing in particular to Spain. In Miami, he told reporters: "There are countries like Spain that refuse to allow us to use these bases - well, why are you in NATO then? That is a very logical question".

NATO tensions and European worries

Rubio is due to meet his NATO counterparts on Friday for the first time since Trump questioned the value of the military alliance over disagreements about the war on Iran and Washington's announcement of plans to withdraw 5000 troops from Europe. NATO officials said the U.S. had not asked the 32-member alliance to take part in the war on Iran, but many member states had met their commitments by allowing U.S. forces to use their airspace and bases on their territory.

European concerns about Trump's stance toward NATO also deepened this year because of his bid to take over Greenland, a territory of Denmark, which is a NATO member. Allies in Washington were also confused and worried by the way the decision was announced, after U.S. officials first said the troops would be withdrawn from Germany and later said they would postpone the deployment of a military brigade in Poland.

U.S. force changes in Europe

The United States said the planned deployment of long-range Tomahawk missiles in Germany would not happen. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Washington also intends to inform NATO countries that it will reduce the military capabilities the United States provides to the alliance in times of crisis.

NATO's supreme allied commander, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, sought this week to reassure European allies about the latest decisions, saying the withdrawals would continue over several years to give alliance countries time to develop capabilities to replace them. Speaking to reporters at NATO headquarters on Tuesday, he said: "As the European pillar of the alliance grows stronger, this allows the United States to reduce its presence in Europe and limit itself to providing the vital capabilities that allies are not yet able to provide".

"Interfax": Putin offered Xi the idea of transferring Iranian uranium to Russia

European ministers are expected at the meeting in the Swedish city of Helsingborg to try to calm the U.S. by stressing their countries' readiness to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow, and to take on more responsibility for European security. Talks and exchanges of messages between Iran and the United States are under way to reach a framework agreement.