US-Israel Iran Attack: Why Is the US at Greater Risk if Iranian Uranium Is Seized?
Image source: Getty Images
It may seem far-fetched that US forces would conduct a covert raid on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities to seize enriched uranium. However, this is reportedly a key objective President Donald Trump is considering to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Military experts and former US defense officials interviewed note that such an operation would be extremely challenging and risky. It would require on-site troop deployment and could take several days or weeks to complete.
Mike Mulroy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, described the removal of uranium stockpiles as “one of the most complex operations in history.”
This is one of several military actions Trump could take against Iran.
He further stated that US measures might include pressuring to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz and attempts to control Kharg Island. The administration might also issue new military threats to bring Iran to the negotiating table.
In a telephone interview with the US partner network CBS News on Monday, President Trump declined to say whether victory in a war without destroying or seizing Iran’s ‘enriched uranium’ was possible.
However, referring to damage inflicted during the US-Israel strike in June last year, he appeared to downplay the importance of those stockpiles. “It’s so deep that no one can get in easily,” Trump said. “It’s very secure. We will decide.”
This statement came after The Wall Street Journal reported that the US is preparing to extract the nuclear material. The White House said the final decision remains pending with Trump.
Experts say that leadership challenges targeting Iran’s weapons stockpiles would be significant.
At the start of the war, Iran had about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, which can be rapidly further refined to weapons-grade at the 90-percent threshold.
Iran also possesses roughly 1,000 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent and 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.8 percent, which is acceptable for medical research purposes.
Most uranium that can be easily used in bombs or missiles is believed to be stored in Isfahan. This site was among three underground nuclear facilities targeted in last year’s US-Israel airstrike.
However, it is unclear if highly enriched uranium is stored at other locations.
Jason Campbell, a former US defense official, said a military operation would be simpler if the exact locations of stockpiles were known.
“The best-case scenario is knowing exactly where it is,” Campbell explained. “If it’s spread across four different locations, the complexity increases significantly.”
Image source: Getty Images
Additionally, some highly enriched uranium might be stored in Fordow and Natanz. Both sites were targeted during the military operation titled ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ last year.
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stated last month that most highly enriched uranium is at Isfahan with some possibly at Natanz. However, inspectors have not returned to the sites since the 2025 US-Israel strikes.
“Many questions will only be clear once we can return,” Grossi said.
Even without confirmation, the US has made estimates about uranium locations, but reaching those places would pose another challenge.
Before the US-Israel attack, Iran had reportedly reinforced underground structures near its nuclear sites. Satellite images from February show entrances to tunnel complexes at Isfahan blocked with earth, complicating operations.
Since the start of warfare, US and Israeli airstrikes have destroyed Iranian naval assets, ballistic missiles, and industrial infrastructure. However, experts insist securing enriched uranium stocks requires ground troop deployments.
The US might deploy its 82nd Airborne Division in the Middle East to secure the areas around Isfahan and Natanz before sending trained special forces to retrieve the enriched uranium.
Satellite images reveal damage to the interior of the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities from US airstrikes. Iran may counterattack, requiring US forces to use heavy equipment to locate and extract uranium from underground tunnels.
“First you have to excavate and then locate it while operating under constant threat,” Campbell noted.
Image source: Getty Images
Iran’s reaction and the risks involved if US ground forces attack key nuclear sites remain open questions.
Alex Plitsas, senior fellow at the Scowcroft Middle East Security Institute and former US defense official, said, “If necessary, Iranian defense capabilities would be weakened to strengthen such an operation,” but it would still carry very high risks.
The operation could take many forms, but experts agree it would require capturing airspace or establishing an air assault zone before removing enriched uranium from Iran.
The specially trained 82nd Airborne Division could work with US forces to establish forward operating bases for such a mission. After uranium retrieval, the US would decide whether to remove it from Iran or destroy it onsite.
Senior administration officials indicate that early in the war, the US might prefer to destroy highly enriched uranium on site rather than remove it.
Jonathan Ruhe, an Iran nuclear program expert at the conservative think tank Jewish Institute for National Security of America in Washington DC, described such an operation as large, complex, and time-consuming.
Ruhe said uranium could be rapidly seized and extracted but acknowledged the high risks involved.
“You’re talking about removing nearly half a ton of weapons-grade uranium,” Ruhe stated.
“And this could create a million complications.”