U.S. Demands Uranium Removal as Iran Signals Internal Disunity Over Demands

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump met with national security aides to review a new proposal from Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The administration continues to insist on the total removal of Iran’s highly enriched uranium (HEU) and guaranteed freedom of navigation in the region as non-negotiable terms. This diplomatic maneuvering comes amid reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi privately informed mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar that Tehran currently lacks a consensus on how to respond to the U.S. position. On the ground, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported the recovery of more than 15 unexploded U.S. missiles near Bandar Abbas. Iranian state media indicated these munitions are being transferred to research centers for reverse engineering, suggesting an intent to study U.S. technical and cyber capabilities. While no new military strikes were reported in the last 24 hours, regional tensions remain high, partly influenced by ongoing instability regarding the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire. Domestically, the conflict is beginning to create political friction for the Trump administration. Recent analysis suggests that the economic toll of the war, specifically rising inflation, is causing a rift within the "America First" coalition. Some supporters have expressed concern over the mounting costs of the conflict, which experts suggest could impact Republican performance in the upcoming midterm elections.