"Give up uranium or we'll take it out": Pete Hegseth issues ultimatum to Iran

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran regarding its nuclear stockpile asserting that Iran must surrender its enriched uranium or Washington will take it outHis remarks came while briefing journalists at the White House after the US and Iran agreed to a twoweek ceasefire marking a significant pause in the intense military hostilities between the two nationsEvaluating the shifting political climate in Tehran Hegseth observed that the new Iranian regime has a different interaction with America than before implying a transformation in the nature of engagement under the current circumstancesRegarding the sustainability of the truce the Secretary of War expressed a cautious optimism Hegseth said he hopes and believes the ceasefire will hold serving as a necessary window for further diplomatic developmentsHe further highlighted the immediate economic impact of the agreement reinforcing that the Strait of Hormuz is now open and commerce will flow ensuring the unhindered movement of global trade through the vital waterwayIn alignment with this stance United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Washington intends to demand a total cessation of uranium enrichment in Iran while simultaneously initiating discussions regarding sanctions relief and tariff reductions The President characterised the recently brokered ceasefire as the start of a very productive regime change for the Islamic RepublicIn a statement shared via his Truth Social platform Trump maintained that the United States is prepared to work closely with Iran following the recent hostilities He further suggested that the foundations for a more comprehensive international settlement have effectively been establishedAddressing the nuclear issue directly Trump specified the administrations primary objectives There will be no enrichment of uranium and the United States will working with Iran dig up and remove all of the deeply buried nuclear dust he asserted in an apparent reference to the remains of the nations nuclear frameworkThe President emphasised that Iranian facilities are currently under exacting satellite surveillance to ensure compliance He noted that nothing has been touched from the date of attack indicating that the US is maintaining a vigilant watch over the integrity of these sitesThis strategic pivot follows a highstakes ceasefire reached late Tuesday which was secured less than two hours before a final ultimatum issued by the US President Under the current terms the US and Israel have agreed to suspend the bombing Iran for a period of two weeks provided that Tehran ensures the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to guarantee safe passage for global maritime trafficThe resolution followed a period of extreme tension on Tuesday morning during which Trump warned that a whole civilisation will die tonight never to be brought back again if his demands were ignoredHe had advocated for a complete and total regime change where different smarter and less radicalised minds prevail suggesting such a shift could lead to something revolutionarily wonderfulConfirming the halt in military operations Trump described the arrangement as a double sided CEASEFIRE He argued that the US had already met and exceeded all Military objectives and is now very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran and PEACE in the Middle EastThe President further acknowledged Irans 10point proposal as a workable basis on which to negotiate noting that almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed toIn response Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi ratified Tehrans commitment to the truce He stated that Iran would facilitate safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz during the designated 14day period managed through close coordination with Irans armed forcesWhile the ceasefire has taken effect on the Iranian front regional complexities remain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed the pause regarding Iran but clarified that the suspension of hostilities would not apply to military operations in Lebanon