President Donald Trump, in an interview published by CBS News today, declared the United States is monitoring nuclear facilities believed to contain Iran's buried highly enriched uranium stockpile. He warned, "If anyone comes near those places, we will know and we will blow them up," adding that Washington intends to seize this radioactive material "at some point."

The US President also asserted that Iran "has been militarily defeated." He commented, "Perhaps deep down they don't know it, but I think they do. That doesn't mean they've given up."

US President Donald Trump at the White House on 8/5. Photo: AP

President Trump indicated that the US military could engage for another two weeks to strike all targets within Iranian territory. He noted, "We targeted certain objectives and have completed about 70%, but there are still other targets that are fully capable of being struck."

The US leader also reiterated his description of NATO as a "paper tiger", accusing the alliance's members of failing to support Washington in its conflict with Tehran.

On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the conflict remains unresolved due to the necessity of removing the highly enriched uranium stockpile from Iran and dismantling its uranium enrichment facilities. "Go in there and take it," Netanyahu stated, alluding to potential plans for eliminating the uranium.

The Israeli leader suggested that the "best method" involves reaching an agreement, though he declined to specify the consequences if such a scenario fails to materialize.

Tehran has yet to comment on the statements made by Trump and Netanyahu.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, even as reports suggest it possesses over 400 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, nearing the 90% weapon-grade threshold. Israeli officials contend that this quantity of uranium is enough to create 11 atomic bombs if further enrichment occurs.

International inspectors speculate that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile is likely interred within nuclear facilities targeted by US attacks last year. President Trump, last month, had declared he "doesn't really care" about the uranium stockpile due to its extreme depth underground.

Satellite image shows damage at the Isfahan nuclear facility in Iran after a US strike in 6/2025. Photo: Maxar

On 1/5, an Israeli official cautioned that the campaign against Iran would be deemed a "major failure" if the highly enriched uranium stockpile is not extracted from the country. This official warned that Israel would necessitate another operation in Iran if diplomatic efforts fail to remove the uranium from the West Asian nation.

Last week, Iran presented a 14-point proposal to the US; however, it notably omitted Washington's core demands, including the cessation of its nuclear program and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington later conveyed its response to Tehran.

Iran's state television, IRIB, reported on 10/5 that Iran transmitted its response to the US proposal for ending hostilities through Pakistan. The core of this proposal centers on: "ending hostilities on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and ensuring maritime security."

Pham Giang (According to AFP, New York Times, Times of Israel)