Trump Weighs High-Risk Operation to Seize Iran’s Uranium, Officials Say

Key Facts

Published: March 29, 2026 Location: Washington D.C. Source: Wall Street Journal

• Trump considering direct military mission to seize Iran’s enriched uranium
• Operation would require U.S. troops on the ground for days under hostile conditions
• Administration still pursuing diplomatic solution to avoid escalation

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump is weighing a potential military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium from Iran, a complex and dangerous mission that could place U.S. forces inside the country for days, according to a Wall Street Journal exclusive citing U.S. officials.

While no final decision has been made, officials say the president remains open to the option as part of his central objective: ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon. The operation would involve securing and removing highly enriched uranium believed to be stored at key nuclear sites, including facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.

Trump has also directed advisers to push Iran diplomatically to surrender the material as a condition for ending the war. However, if negotiations fail, he has discussed the possibility of seizing the uranium by force.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that military planning does not indicate a final decision. “It’s the job of the Pentagon to make preparations … to give the commander-in-chief maximum optionality,” she said.

The mission, if approved, would rank among the most challenging operations of the conflict. Military experts say U.S. forces would likely face Iranian air defenses, drones, and potential retaliation while attempting to secure and transport radioactive material from heavily fortified or damaged sites.

The uranium—stored in dozens of specialized containers—would require careful handling by elite teams trained in nuclear material extraction. Engineers and combat troops would need to secure the area, clear hazards, and establish transport routes, potentially including the construction of temporary airfields.

Retired Gen. Joseph Votel, former commander of U.S. Central Command, warned that such an operation would not be quick. “This is not a quick in-and-out kind of deal,” he said, noting it could take days or longer to complete.

The U.S. military is already positioning assets in the region, including Marine units and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, while officials consider deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to expand operational options.

Despite the risks, Trump has signaled a preference for avoiding a prolonged conflict, aiming to conclude military operations within a limited timeframe while pursuing a negotiated settlement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that U.S. objectives could still be achieved without deploying ground forces.

Iran currently is not enriching uranium to weapons-grade levels, U.S. officials say, but retains the capability to do so. Intelligence assessments warn that Tehran could eventually develop long-range missile capabilities if its nuclear ambitions are not halted.

In public remarks, Trump underscored the urgency of the issue, referring to the enriched material as “nuclear dust” and framing it as a central justification for the ongoing conflict.

Diplomatic channels remain open, with countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt acting as intermediaries. However, no direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran have yet taken place.

Officials say the coming days will be critical as the administration weighs whether to pursue a negotiated surrender of Iran’s nuclear material — or prepare for a bold and risky operation to remove it by force.

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