The United States is exploring the possibility of conducting a special military operation to extract stocks of highly enriched uranium from Iran. This complex route is fraught with field, intelligence, and logistical challenges that could make it one of the most difficult modern military operations. Despite Washington's June 2025 statement about having destroyed Iran's nuclear program, stocks of enriched uranium, according to the IAEA's estimates, still exist and amount to about 440 kilograms at 60% enrichment.
It is believed that after U.S. strikes on three key facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, Iran redistributed these stocks. Experts think the uranium may be located at other secret sites, which further complicates any attempt to access it. Any American operation, military analysts say, could require the insertion of about a thousand special-forces personnel onto Iranian territory, making it one of the largest operations of its kind.
These ground forces are expected to establish a wide security perimeter around storage sites, but this task is complicated by the ability of Iranian missiles and drones to strike these forces from the very start of the operation. Violating sovereignty and the logistics of penetrating Iranian territory add further complications. Field data also indicate that the uranium is likely stored deep underground, under layers of rock and debris from previous strikes, which would require excavation that could take several days.
That means troops would have to remain on the ground for an extended period under direct threat, facing the risk of combat, ambushes, as well as air and missile attacks. Some reports also warn of the possibility of mines in the storage sites, where a single blast could permanently block tunnels and bury materials inside reinforced structures. There is also the risk of inaccurate intelligence about the actual storage locations.
Upon accessing the stocks, a serious technical problem arises: uranium containers may be enormous and weigh two to three tons, requiring special equipment for their safe lifting and transport. The operation would also require the involvement of specialized weapons-of-mass-destruction teams to inspect, package, and secure the material to prevent the release of radioactive or toxic substances. If a decision is made to destroy the stocks in place, there would be added risks of radioactive or chemical contamination and complications with environmental and humanitarian consequences.
The withdrawal and return phase is also associated with enormous logistical difficulties, since transporting these loads depends on heavy transport aircraft such as the C-17. This would require securing a nearby runway or creating a temporary strip, the construction of which could take several days. Withdrawal would also require continuous air cover and protection during loading and transport, creating immense time pressure on the operating forces. Overall, any such operation looks like a race against time in a hostile environment, with combat, technical, and intelligence risks intertwined.
Western newspapers and websites, citing various reports, say the U.S. may be preparing. The British site iPaper reported that the United States is preparing for a possible ground incursion or targeted special operations inside Iran based on intelligence. Axios revealed that Washington and Tel Aviv are discussing the possibility of conducting a limited special-forces operation inside Iran in cooperation with nuclear experts to handle and secure stocks of highly enriched uranium. According to Axios, the potential plan is based on two main options, indicating that alternatives are still being discussed and evaluated in corridors of power.
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What are the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, and why are they considered key to Iran's nuclear program? - Natanz is the main underground uranium enrichment center, housing thousands of centrifuges. Fordow is another underground enrichment facility, known for its fortification and secrecy. Isfahan (likely referring to the facility in Isfahan) is a center for processing uranium ore and producing uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for enrichment. These sites are key because together they form a critical part of Iran's nuclear fuel cycle, and their underground locations make them harder to strike militarily.
What are the capabilities of the Iranian missiles and drones mentioned as threats to a possible U.S. operation? - Iran possesses a large arsenal of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles (up to 2,000 km), capable of striking targets across the Middle East, including U.S. bases. Iranian drones, such as the Shahed, are relatively cheap but effective strike UAVs that can be used in swarm attacks or for precision strikes. Together they pose a threat due to their numbers, dispersion, and ability to inflict unacceptable damage even on a more technologically advanced adversary.
Why are underground storage sites a common method for storing nuclear materials in Iran, and how does this relate to the country's geography and strategy? - Iran is a mountainous country with many natural and man-made underground voids. Strategically, underground placement of facilities (so-called "bunkering") is a response to the threat of preemptive strikes from stronger adversaries like the U.S. or Israel. This makes sites less vulnerable to air strikes and surveillance, increasing the survivability of the nuclear program and complicating any attempts to destroy it militarily.
Full version: اليورانيوم الإيراني المخصّب.. هل تتحول مهمة استخراجه إلى فخ للقوات الخاصة الأمريكية؟