President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a potential military operation to seize nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran. The mission could place U.S. troops in the country for days or longer, presenting significant risks due to its complexity and high danger level.
U.S. officials have stated that Trump has not made a final decision but remains open to the idea as part of his broader effort to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. In private discussions, Trump has indicated that Iran cannot retain the material and has raised the possibility of taking it by force if diplomatic efforts fail.
The president is urging advisers to press Iran to hand over the uranium as a condition for ending the conflict. Regional powers including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have been acting as intermediaries between Washington and Tehran, though direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have not taken place.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander in chief maximum optionality.” The Pentagon declined to comment, and U.S. Central Command did not provide a statement.
Prior to recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, Iran was believed to possess over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% and nearly 200 kilograms enriched to 20%. International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi has indicated that much of the uranium is likely stored at key sites, including an underground tunnel at the Isfahan nuclear complex and another cache at Natanz.
Experts state that Iran retains the capability to continue enriching uranium and could establish new underground facilities if needed.
