The U.S. military has briefed President Donald J. Trump on a daring special-operations plan to seize approximately 450 kilograms (nearly 1,000 pounds) of highly enriched uranium from inside Iran, The Washington Post reported.
The operation was drawn up at Trump’s direct request and presented to him last week.
Iran is believed to hold roughly 450 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, material that could be rapidly converted to weapons-grade levels for a nuclear bomb. Much of the stockpile is now believed to be buried under the rubble of bombed nuclear sites, primarily near Isfahan and Natanz.
According to the report, the proposed mission would require:
- Airlifting hundreds or even thousands of specially trained troops deep into enemy territory.
- Transporting heavy excavation equipment.
- Building a temporary runway so cargo planes can extract the radioactive material.
The operation could take weeks to complete and would place American forces at extreme risk under potential Iranian fire. Officials and experts described it as one of the most complex and dangerous missions ever contemplated in wartime.
The briefing comes as the United States continues airstrikes on Iranian targets and as Trump has repeatedly stated that eliminating Iran’s nuclear capability is a top priority.
The Washington Post story is based on two people familiar with the matter. No official comment has been issued by the White House or Pentagon so far.
