President Trump [Reuters=Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on May 21 (local time) that the U.S. would secure Iran's highly enriched uranium, one of the key issues in negotiations for an end to hostilities with Iran.

When asked by reporters at a White House event whether Iran could continue to possess highly enriched uranium, President Trump responded, "No," and stated his position.

"We will take it. We don't need it, we don't want it. We will probably destroy it after we take it, but we will not let them have it," Trump said.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing two senior Iranian sources, that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had instructed not to export enriched uranium abroad.

Iran possesses approximately 440 kg of 60% enriched uranium. Iran's refusal to export this material conflicts with the U.S. demand, and difficulties are anticipated in the negotiation process.

Regarding the negotiation status with Iran, President Trump stated, "We are negotiating now, and we'll see, but one way or another, we will get it done, and they will not have a nuclear weapon."

He added, "The war with Iran will end very soon. When that ends, the price of gasoline will be lower than before."

On the issue of Iran collecting transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump emphasized, "We want passage to be free. We don't want tolls. That is an international waterway."

When asked if the deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Cuba, was intended to threaten the Cuban government, President Trump replied, "Not at all."

He continued, "Cuba is a failed state. They have no electricity, no money, virtually nothing, and nothing to eat."

President Trump stated, "We will continue to help them," expressing his intention to provide assistance to the Cuban people.

Regarding Cuban-Americans residing in places like Miami, Florida, he expressed his support, saying, "I want them to stay in America, but they want to go back to their country, they want to invest, and they want to know how to rebuild their country."