Just hours before President Donald Trump was set to deliver a primetime address on the Iran war, he signaled a dramatic shift in tone — saying he “didn’t care” about Iran’s remaining enriched uranium because it was buried deep underground.

The remark added to a string of conflicting statements about how and when the conflict might end, even as Iran’s president issued his own message urging the United States to abandon “the path of confrontation.”

Trump, who for more than a decade has framed Iran’s nuclear program as an urgent global threat, abruptly shifted tone Wednesday, telling Reuters he is no longer concerned about Tehran’s stockpile of near weapons grade uranium because it is stored “so far underground.”

International inspectors say Iran has roughly 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent — material that could be converted into enough fuel for 10 to 12 nuclear weapons if taken to weapons grade levels. Asked about that stockpile, Trump dismissed the danger, saying the U.S. would “always be watching it by satellite.” It was the second time in 24 hours he claimed the nuclear issue had been “solved,” despite no evidence that Iran’s capabilities have been dismantled.

The remarks mark a stark departure from Trump’s long standing argument that Iran’s enrichment capacity posed an existential threat. His withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal was rooted in the belief that even a compliant Iran could “break out” quickly. And as recently as last year, Trump justified U.S. strikes on Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan by saying they were necessary to prevent Iran from turning its 60 percent stockpile into bomb usable material.

During failed negotiations in February, Trump’s envoys — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — demanded Iran ship all nuclear fuel out of the country and permanently halt production. When talks stalled, Trump argued that military action was needed because Iran was “attempting to rebuild” its program, a reference to new centrifuge production.

U.S. and Israeli forces have rehearsed potential raids on Iran’s underground storage sites, though there is no indication any enriched uranium has been removed. The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is not currently enriching further, but Director General Rafael Grossi has repeatedly warned that the remaining stockpile could be taken to weapons grade in a matter of days or weeks.

Trump told Reuters he may withdraw U.S. forces soon but left open the possibility of returning for “spot hits” if Iran resumes enrichment. “They won’t have a nuclear weapon because they are incapable of that now,” he said — a claim sharply at odds with assessments from inspectors and intelligence officials.

What to know:

• Trump told Reuters he was unconcerned about Iran’s buried uranium stockpile, despite previously calling it a central justification for the war.

• Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian released a letter to the American people calling confrontation “costly and futile,” though Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied seeking a cease-fire.

• Trump has offered no clear conditions for ending the war, saying only that he won’t consider a cease-fire until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.

• The George H.W. Bush deployed Tuesday en route to the Middle East along with three destroyers, a carrier strike group that consists of more than 6,000 sailors, two U.S. officials told The Associated Press.

• Tehran residents were jolted awake early Wednesday by heavy Israeli airstrikes on the capital; U.S. Central Command says it has hit more than 12,300 targets in Iran since the war began.

• Iran launched one of its largest missile barrages yet at Israel on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage in central cities, according to Israeli emergency services.

• Trump claimed “Iran’s New Regime President” asked for a cease-fire, though Iran says no such request was made and no new government exists.

• An Iranian official warned the U.S. will not regain access to the Strait of Hormuz, saying it will reopen “but not for you.”

• Trump said he is considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO, alarming European leaders already rattled by the conflict.

• Israeli strikes in Beirut killed at least seven people and wounded 24; more attacks were reported across southern Lebanon.

• Civilian death tolls continue to climb: at least 1,598 killed in Iran, 1,318 in Lebanon, and 17 in Israel. The U.S. has lost 13 service members. (Source: Newsweek)

Story Date: April 1, 2026