Trump Weighs Iran Uranium Extraction Military Operation

Trump has not made a final decision, according to The Wall Street Journal, and is weighing the risks such an operation poses to US troops. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated the Pentagon's role is to provide "maximum optionality" to the commander-in-chief, not indicating a final decision.

Officials believe the uranium is stored at key sites, including an underground tunnel at the Isfahan nuclear complex and a cache at Natanz. Retired General Joseph Votel described the mission as "not a quick in and out kind of deal," requiring US forces to enter Iranian territory, secure sites, and extract material from 40 to 50 specialized containers, a process that could take several days to a week.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the US has a "range of options" and prefers Iran to relinquish the material voluntarily, with diplomatic efforts involving Pakistan, Türkiye, and Egypt. This consideration occurs amid ongoing regional escalations since a Feb.

28 offensive by Israel and the US against Iran, which killed over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, disrupting global markets and aviation.