US considers seizing Iran’s enriched uranium amid ongoing conflict
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The Trump administration is discussing options to seize uranium from Iran (Photo: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering options to seize Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons, CBS News reported on March 20, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
The timing of any such operation remains unclear, and no final decision has been made, one source said.
According to two sources cited by CBS, planning has focused on the possible involvement of U.S. Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), an elite force typically tasked with the most sensitive counterproliferation missions.
U.S. officials say the Trump administration has not ruled out attempting to secure highly enriched uranium as part of the ongoing military campaign. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that such an operation is “one of the options the president is considering.”
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said such a mission would be complex and risky. He noted that the material is stored in cylinders containing uranium hexafluoride gas enriched to 60%, which is difficult to handle.
While technically feasible, the operation would present significant logistical and safety challenges, Grossi said.
U.S. intelligence assessments last spring indicated that Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran has consistently said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, CBS reported.
However, Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity in recent years — well above levels required for civilian use. The IAEA has noted that Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state enriching uranium to that level.
Reuters reported on March 19 that the Trump administration is also considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to the Middle East, including ground forces, amid the conflict with Iran. Plans under discussion include securing oil routes and potential operations involving Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles.
The United States has already deployed additional Marines, sailors, and amphibious ships to the region to strengthen its military presence.
A joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran began on Feb. 28.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel and targeted locations in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, including attacks on U.S. military bases.
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