diplomacyFriday, May 15, 20264 sources

Trump Announces Plan to Retrieve Iran's Enriched Uranium

On May 15, 2026, Donald Trump declared the United States would take a week and a half to remove enriched uranium from Iran. He claimed the operation would involve drilling through granite and suggested the uranium could be 'entombed' in Iran. The plan was framed as a public relations move.

Trump stated the U.S. would need a week and a half to remove enriched uranium from Iran, according to TASS. He claimed the operation would require drilling through granite to retrieve the material. TASS also reported Trump said the uranium could be 'entombed' in Iran. The Straits Times and Bloomberg both reported Trump said the uranium was mostly for 'public relations' purposes.

Timelines

Sources

StateTASSMay 15, 10:56 AM
US would need week and a half to stay in Iran to remove uranium — Trump

According to the US president, during the operation to remove enriched uranium, they would have to drill through granite

StateTASSMay 15, 10:45 AM
Trump reiterates US desire to retrieve Iran’s enriched uranium

The US president said the nuclear material "can be" entombed

IndependentStraits TimesMay 15, 07:45 AM
Trump says he wants Iran’s uranium mostly for ‘public relations’ - The Straits Times

Trump says he wants Iran’s uranium mostly for ‘public relations’  The Straits Times

IndependentBloombergMay 15, 06:28 AM
Trump Says He Wants Iran’s Uranium Mostly for ‘Public Relations’ - Bloomberg.com

Trump Says He Wants Iran’s Uranium Mostly for ‘Public Relations’  Bloomberg.com