US Demands Nuclear Deal, Hormuz Reopening Before Crucial Situation Room Decision
Donald Trump outlines new demands on Iran’s nuclear programme, shipping routes, and military coordination ahead of a high stakes White House decision
2 min read
US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, DC, the US on May 21, 2026. — Reuters
US President Donald Trump issued a lengthy statement ahead of what he described as a crucial meeting in the Situation Room, outlining demands and proposed steps involving Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz, and future US coordination with Tehran.
In the statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said Iran must commit to permanently abandoning nuclear weapons ambitions.
“Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb.”
Trump also demanded the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted shipping traffic, saying maritime movement should resume without fees or restrictions.
“The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions.”
The president claimed that naval restrictions affecting vessels in the strategic waterway would now be lifted and suggested ships delayed during the standoff could begin returning.
“Ships caught in the Strait due to our amazing and unprecedented Naval Blockade, which will now be lifted, may start the process of ‘heading home!’”
Trump further stated that any remaining sea mines in the region should be removed, claiming US forces had already detonated numerous mines through naval operations.
“All water mines (bombs), if any, will be terminated.”
A major focus of the statement involved Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Trump claimed that enriched nuclear material buried underground following earlier US military strikes would be recovered and destroyed through international coordination.
“The enriched material, sometimes referred to as ‘Nuclear Dust,’ which is buried deep underground with virtually collapsed mountains, caused by our powerful B2 Bomber attack 11 months ago, sitting on top of it, will be unearthed by the United States.”
He said this process would happen in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Trump added that financial arrangements connected to any broader agreement remain unresolved.
“No money will be exchanged, until further notice.”
He concluded by saying additional issues had been agreed upon and that he was heading into the Situation Room to make a final determination.
“I will be meeting now, in the Situation Room, to make a final determination.”
The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran, nuclear negotiations, and growing international attention on shipping security in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.