Trump touts uranium deal as Iran vows its stockpile will never leave country (PHOTOS/VIDEOS): As it happened
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Source: RT News
The IRGC insists Tehran “has not pursued nuclear weapons” and will “firmly defend” its territory
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the US would work alongside Iran, using “a lot of excavators” to recover Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and bring it to the United States. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, however, reiterated that Iran would not give up the stockpile, which he described as “as sacred as Iranian soil.” Tehran maintains it is not seeking nuclear weapons, a claim disputed by the US and Israel.
The US and Iran continue behind-the-scenes talks as the two-week ceasefire is set to expire next week.
The situation remains tense in the Strait of Hormuz, where some ships have been able to pass after Iran announced it would reopen the strategic shipping route to all commercial vessels. However, most tankers and cargo ships attempting to cross have suddenly turned back, according to maritime tracking services.
Iranian parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf later clarified that the strait would “not remain open” as long as the US continues its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
A 10-day ceasefire entered into force in Lebanon on Friday following several weeks of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that claimed more than 2,000 lives in the country.
Here are the latest developments:
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is “completely open” to commercial vessels for the remainder of the ceasefire, which is due to expire on Tuesday
• Trump thanked Tehran and said the strait is “open and ready for business,” but added that the US naval blockade on Iran “remains in full force” until a deal is “100% complete”
• Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) warned the US and Israel they will face a “regret-inducing” response if attacks continue
• At least 2,196 people have been killed and 1.2 million displaced in Lebanon amid Israeli airstrikes and evacuation orders to expand a “security zone”
Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates. You can also read our previous updates here.
18 April 2026
01:04 GMT
Iran told mediators it would continue to limit the number of ships allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz and charge tolls for the remainder of the ceasefire, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.
17 April 2026
23:55 GMT
Most ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz have been turning back, according to recent data from maritime tracking services.
Matt Smith, director of commodity research at Kpler, told CNBC that several tankers and cargo ships attempted to exit via the route designated by Iran around Larak Island but then suddenly reversed course.
23:43 GMT
US President Donald Trump reiterated his intention to seize Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Speaking at a Turning Point USA conference in Phoenix, Arizona, he said the US would use “lots of excavators” to recover the radioactive material.
“But we’re going to go in together with Iran. We’re going to get it. We’re going to take it back home to the USA very soon,” he said.
23:06 GMT
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation in talks with the US, said the Strait of Hormuz “would not remain open” as long as Washington continues to blockade Iran’s ports.
“Passage through the strait will be conducted along designated routes and with Iranian authorization,” he added.
Ghalibaf’s statement appears to contradict US President Donald Trump, who said earlier that Iran had agreed to reopen the vital shipping route.
