Since the ceasefire took hold weeks ago, the U.S.-Iran conflict has lurched through drone clashes, disputed missile damage, and a near-collapse of talks — and Thursday brought a fresh round of significant developments that change the diplomatic picture.

Trump's New Position on Iran's Uranium

The biggest shift Thursday: Trump told reporters there is "no reason" to retrieve Iran's remaining nuclear material. He called it "dust" and said it's effectively "entombed." He stressed Washington is "not considering" any covert operation to seize it, according to ZeroHedge's reporting on his late-afternoon remarks.

Recovering or neutralizing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile has been a core U.S. demand since the strikes began. Thursday's comments represent a reversal of that position, framing it instead as a non-issue.

Trump did say the U.S. has "powerful cameras watching Iran's uranium" — reinforcing his earlier claim about Space Force surveillance. His stated red line has narrowed to one thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. The exact mechanism of enforcing that is now, apparently, flexible.

Trump Would Meet the New Supreme Leader

Also Thursday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he would be "honored" to meet Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei — the new Iranian Supreme Leader who took over after his father was killed on the first day of U.S.-Israeli strikes, according to CNBC.

Trump's exact words: "If we make a deal, it's possible that I would meet. I'd be okay with that."

He added that despite the U.S. killing Mojtaba's father and family members, he expects the new leader to be a "professional" — and noted he has "a very good reputation in some circles."

Iranian state media said earlier this week that Tehran was halting negotiations. This week has seen conflicting reports from both sides about the state of talks.

The Ceasefire Is Holding — For Now

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, per CNBC, that Trump told aides the ceasefire is holding despite sporadic clashes. His stated threshold for resuming full-scale war: Iran kills American troops. Short of that, he's inclined to stay the course diplomatically.

Oil markets believed it. West Texas Intermediate dropped 3.1% to $93.04 per barrel. Brent fell 2.8% to $95.03. That's the market pricing in reduced escalation risk.

National gas prices still sit at $4.24 per gallon nationwide as of Thursday, per AAA. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut. Every day of closure is a slow economic bleed for American consumers.

The Kuwait Base Damage Story Isn't Going Away

While diplomacy moves forward, the credibility gap from earlier this week is still unresolved. CENTCOM claimed Iranian missiles targeting Kuwait either "fell short or broke apart" and that none hit their intended targets.

Satellite imagery from Soar Atlas, published via Middle East Eye, appears to show a destroyed shelter at the U.S. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The surrounding area looks charred, with multiple impact craters visible nearby.

Kuwait's foreign ministry said Iranian missiles hit their international airport and diplomatic missions. One person was killed — an Indian national — and 60 others were injured. Kuwait's defense ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Saud al-Otayan called it "criminal Iranian aggression."

CENTCOM's version and Kuwait's version cannot both be fully true. Either the base took damage or it didn't. Satellite imagery suggests it did. The Pentagon has not updated its account.

Congressional Pressure Trump Shrugged Off

The House passed a War Powers resolution Wednesday calling on Trump to either withdraw U.S. forces or get congressional authorization to continue the conflict. Trump publicly attacked the four Republicans who voted for it, according to ZeroHedge.

The resolution still needs the Senate and faces a near-certain veto. Four House Republicans broke from Trump on a war vote — a sign that GOP unity on this conflict is not complete.

The Oil and Nuclear Trade-off

Gas is $4.24 a gallon and climbing with every day Hormuz stays shut. A deal that gets the strait open saves money at the pump for every American who drives. But a deal that lets Iran keep its nuclear infrastructure intact — even "entombed" — carries its own costs. One that emerges later, not at the pump.