The United States is reportedly considering a complex, potentially unprecedented military operation to seize Iran's enriched uranium from its heavily fortified nuclear facilities, as diplomatic channels appear to have reached an impasse.
US Military Options for Iran's Nuclear Material
Sources familiar with military planning indicate that a large-scale ground assault is being contemplated, designed to neutralize Iran's nuclear capabilities by directly removing its enriched uranium stockpiles. This approach is being discussed as a more likely path forward than current negotiations, which are not yielding rapid progress.
The proposed operation would require a substantial deployment of thousands of ground troops to infiltrate and secure Iranian nuclear sites. This would involve overcoming potential booby traps and utilizing construction resources, while maintaining a significant defensive perimeter around the target locations.
A specialized team of special operators would then be tasked with the highly dangerous retrieval of the enriched uranium. Experts describe this phase as exceptionally challenging, with one analyst calling it potentially "one of the most, if not the most, sophisticated operations in military history."
Logistical and Tactical Challenges of the Operation
Executing such a mission presents immense logistical hurdles within a contested environment. While Iran's military capabilities are considered diminished, they are still assessed as more advanced than forces encountered in previous, less complex operations.
Reports suggest that elite units such as SEAL Team 6’s Silver Squadron, the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and the Army’s 21st Ordnance Company could be involved. The 21st Ordnance Company, in particular, would be responsible for the secure handling and transport of the enriched uranium from facilities like the Fordo and Isfahan sites.
Securing all affected sites would necessitate ground forces to establish and maintain a perimeter, then create a safe convoy route to an extraction point, likely an airstrip. This requires sustained military presence while simultaneously managing potential Iranian military responses.
Iran's Preparations and Known Nuclear Sites
Intelligence indicates that Iran is actively preparing defenses at its nuclear facilities, particularly at Isfahan. Reports have surfaced regarding the hardening of the site, the laying of booby traps, and the deployment of perimeter security forces.
The IAEA reported in 2025 that Iran possessed upwards of 20,000 pounds of enriched uranium, a significant quantity that fuels international concerns. These stockpiles, combined with ongoing enrichment activities, contribute to the urgency behind potential military considerations.
The Fordo facility, described as heavily fortified, and the Isfahan facility are key targets. The latter is noted as severely damaged, suggesting significant prior Israeli airstrikes. A new potential target is the Pickaxe Mountain site, following reports of Iran transporting hundreds of centrifuges to the Natanz nuclear enrichment location recently.
Discussions around Pickaxe Mountain suggest a possible scenario where direct intervention might be considered if airstrikes are deemed insufficient to collapse the facility. This approach, similar to past operations targeting specific vulnerabilities, highlights the intricate planning involved in potential nuclear site disruption.
