Trump Reveals He Rejected US Plan to Physically Collect Iran's 'Nuclear Dust'; Offers 20-Year Enrichment Moratorium; Open to Meeting Iran's New Supreme Leader — Day 97

President Trump made a series of significant diplomatic disclosures on June 4, 2026 (Day 97). He publicly revealed for the first time that he had rejected a military plan to send US troops into Iran to physically collect enriched uranium — which he described as 'nuclear dust.' Trump said the plan would have taken more than two weeks, required massively airlifted equipment, and he rejected it specifically to avoid a 'Jimmy Carter moment' — a reference to the failed 1980 Iran hostage rescue operation. Trump added that the nuclear material is now 'entombed' and there is 'no reason' to pursue the physical collection option. Trump also signaled he would be open to meeting Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei directly if there is an agreement framework in place — the clearest indication yet of a willingness to pursue summit-level diplomacy. Trump stated he would accept Iran suspending nuclear enrichment for 20 years if Iran made a 'real commitment,' a significant softening from earlier maximalist demands for permanent zero-enrichment. Earlier on June 4, Trump had told CNBC he 'didn't care' about Iran shutting down further talks, calling the process 'very boring.' He later reversed course the same day, claiming a 'very productive call' with Netanyahu and Hezbollah leaders had restarted the pause on mutual attacks and re-enabled US-Iran talks. Iranian FM Araghchi warned that any Israeli strike on Beirut would trigger a 'full-scale resumption' of the Iran-US war. Iran declared 'no tangible progress' in negotiations. Brent crude fell approximately 1% to just below $97/bbl on modestly increased hopes for deal progress following Trump's 20-year moratorium offer.