US and Israel Weigh Special Forces Deployment to Secure Iran's Uranium Stockpile
As tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict with Iran, sources cited by Axios reveal that the United States and Israel are engaged in high-level discussions about the potential deployment of special forces inside Iranian territory. The primary objective of such a mission would be to secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a critical component in nuclear weapons development.
Trump's Remarks on Ground Troops
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, US President Donald Trump did not dismiss the idea of sending ground troops into Iran. He indicated that while such a move is not currently planned, it could be considered under exceptional circumstances in the future. "At some point maybe we will. That would be a great thing," Trump said when questioned about securing Iran's nuclear material. He added, "Right now we're just decimating them, but we haven't gone after it. We wouldn't do it now. Maybe we will do it later."
Focus on Uranium Stockpile
Preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon has been a stated goal of the Trump administration throughout the war. Central to this concern is Iran's estimated 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity. Experts warn that this material could be converted to weapons-grade levels within weeks, posing a significant threat.
According to the Axios report, US and Israeli officials have discussed sending special operations units to secure the uranium later in the conflict, once Iran's military capabilities are further degraded. Any such mission would likely require American or Israeli troops to enter Iran and navigate heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities. It remains unclear whether the operation would be conducted solely by US forces, Israeli troops, or as a joint effort.
Options Under Discussion
A US official outlined two main approaches being explored by the administration:
- Removing the enriched uranium from Iran entirely.
- Sending nuclear experts to dilute it on-site, rendering it unusable for weapons.
Such an operation could involve special operations units working alongside nuclear scientists, potentially including experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A US official highlighted the operational challenges: "The first question is, where is it? The second question is, how do we get to it and how do we get physical control?" The decision on whether to transport or dilute the material would ultimately rest with the president and relevant agencies like the Department of War and CIA.
Underground Facilities and Strategic Targets
US and Israeli officials believe most of Iran's enriched uranium is stored in underground tunnels at the nuclear facility in Isfahan, with the remainder split between Fordow and Natanz. Early strikes in the conflict reportedly buried parts of the stockpile under rubble and destroyed many centrifuges, with no current evidence of resumed enrichment. Some strikes also aimed to seal site entrances to prevent material movement.
Beyond nuclear sites, Axios reported that Washington officials have discussed seizing Kharg Island, a strategic oil terminal handling about 90% of Iran's crude exports. Controlling this island could severely impact Iran's energy revenues and its ability to fund military operations.
Limited Scope of Operations
Despite talks of troop deployment, officials emphasized that any operation would likely be limited in scope. NBC News reported that Trump had considered sending a small contingent of US troops for specific strategic missions. A senior US official told Axios, "Boots on the ground for Trump is not the same as what it means for the media." Another source described it as "small special ops raids, not a big force going in," while a third added that discussions have not involved large-scale invasions like Fallujah.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that Trump keeps all options open, stating, "The president wisely keeps all options available to him open, and does not rule things out."
Strategic Stakes
The enriched uranium remains one of the most sensitive issues in the conflict. Officials estimate that if Iran's entire stockpile were enriched to 90% purity, it could potentially produce material for around 11 nuclear bombs. For the Trump administration and its allies, ensuring this material cannot be weaponized has become a key strategic objective as the war with Iran continues.
