President Donald Trump said he would not rule out deploying U.S. troops to Iran to retrieve and destroy highly enriched uranium, a move he dubbed "nuclear dust." In a Sunday interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump outlined a scenario where American forces could work with Iranian officials to remove the material either on‑site or off‑site, insisting the troops would not be in danger.

Operation Epic Fury’s $29 Billion Price Tag

According to Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst, the war that has raged for over three months has already cost the United States at least $29 billion,up from an earlier estimate of $25 billion in April. The financial burden underscores the administration’s willingness to consider a costly millitary solution to secure nuclear material.

Trump’s “Nuclear Dust” Rhetoric and the Ceasefire Condition

Trump introduced the term "nuclear dust" to describe highly enriched uranium, claiming the phrasing makes the concept more accessible. He said the end of hostilities may be near “provided a ceasefire holds,” and that U.S. troops would not face danger if the deal is reached. The president warned that if no agreement is struck, the U.S. would take “very harsh” military action while still ensuring safety.

Recent Drone Skirmishes and Iran’s Retaliation

In related developments, the U.S. military shot down two Iranian one‑way attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz,following the downing of four drones the day before and subsequent strikes on Iranian coastal radar sites. iran fired ballistic missiles and drones toward Bahrain and Kuwait, claiming the U.S. attacks on surveillance facilities on Qeshm Island and near Sirik were a ceasefire violation.

Who Is the Unnamed Buyer in the Nuclear Deal?

Trump’s interview leaves unanswered who would actually purchase or handle the seized uranium. The president did not name any partner nation or organization that would receive the material, raising questions about the logistics and legality of such a transfer.