The United States and Israel are discussing the possibility of sending special forces to Iran to take control of stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.
Risk of Nuclear Weapons Development
Such a scenario could be considered at a later stage of the war. Axios reported this, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the outlet’s sources, the goal of the operation would be to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The country possesses roughly 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%. If the entire stockpile were enriched to 90%, it would be enough material for about 11 nuclear bombs. This process could take several weeks.
Iran’s nuclear facilities are heavily fortified, and some of the material may be located underground. An operation to seize the material would likely require the presence of American or Israeli troops on Iranian territory during wartime.
Mission Details
The report says it remains unclear whether the mission would be carried out by US forces, Israeli forces, or jointly. It would likely only be possible once both countries are confident that Iranian military forces no longer pose a serious threat to the units involved.
During a briefing in Congress on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio got a question whether it possible to secure Iran’s enriched uranium.
“People are going to have to go and get it,” Rubio said without specifying who.
According to a representative of Israel’s defense industry, Donald Trump and his team are seriously considering sending special forces to Iran. A US official said the administration had discussed two options. The first is to remove the material entirely from Iran. The second is to bring in nuclear experts to dilute it directly on site.
Specialists from the International Atomic Energy Agency may also be involved in the mission. According to the report, Trump got a presentation of operational options before the strikes on Iran began.
The US president is also considering the possibility of deploying ground troops. At the same time, he noted they can make such a decision only “for a very good reason.” Trump added that such actions would devastate Iranian forces, leaving them unable to conduct ground combat.
“At some point maybe we will. We haven’t gone after it. We wouldn’t do it now. Maybe we will do it later,” Trump said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios that Trump “wisely keeps all options available to him open, and does not rule things out.”
Kharg Island
US officials also discussed the possibility of taking control of Kharg Island. It is a key Iranian oil terminal through which most of the country’s oil exports pass. It accounts for roughly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports.
US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last June buried Iranian uranium stockpiles under rubble. According to American and Israeli officials, even Iranian authorities themselves have not been able to access them since then. The strikes also destroyed almost all Iranian centrifuges, and there is no evidence that enrichment has resumed.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that on March 5 Iran attacked Azerbaijan with drones. Two people got injuries in the attack.
