President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a military operation to seize Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, a scenario defense experts describe as one of the most complicated special operations in history. The option is among several military actions the Trump administration is weighing as part of its efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The operation would require the deployment of ground troops and could take several days or even weeks to complete, according to military experts and former US defense officials who spoke to the BBC. The White House has said Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to proceed.

Most of Iran's highly enriched uranium is believed to be stored at Isfahan, one of three underground nuclear sites that were targeted in US-Israeli airstrikes last year. However, it remains unclear how much material is stored at other locations, including Fordo and Natanz.

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive Democrats and foreign policy critics have raised concerns about the risks of a military operation to seize Iran's uranium, arguing that such an action could escalate tensions in the Middle East and endanger US troops. Congressional Democrats have called for diplomatic solutions to the Iran nuclear issue, emphasizing negotiations over military intervention.

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has argued that military action should remain a last resort after diplomatic avenues have been exhausted. Progressive advocacy groups have similarly warned that ground operations in Iran could draw the US into a broader conflict.

Former Obama administration officials have noted that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, was achieved through diplomacy rather than military force. Critics argue that abandoning diplomatic channels could undermine international efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative Republicans have largely supported Trump's aggressive stance toward Iran, arguing that preventing a nuclear-capable Iran is essential to US national security. House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans have called for maximum pressure on Tehran, including military options if necessary.

Former Trump administration officials said that the president's approach reflects a commitment to his campaign promise of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Conservative commentators have argued that previous administrations' diplomatic approaches failed to halt Iran's nuclear advancement.

The Trump administration has framed its consideration of military operations as part of a broader strategy to protect US interests in the Middle East. Administration officials have suggested that the threat of military action could pressure Iran to return to negotiations on a new nuclear agreement. Republicans have also pointed to Iran's history of supporting militant groups in the region as justification for a tougher stance.

What the Numbers Show

At the start of the current conflict, Iran possessed approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, according to senior US officials. This material can be relatively quickly enriched to the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade uranium.

Iran also maintains roughly 1,000 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20% and 8,500 kilograms enriched to 3.6%, the level accepted for medical research. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that most of Iran's highly enriched uranium is stored at Isfahan, with some additional material at Natanz.

The facility at Isfahan is located approximately 300 miles inland from Iran's third largest city. Satellite imagery indicates that entrances to the tunnel complex appear to be sealed off with earth following recent airstrikes, complicating any ground operation. The US has deployed elements of the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as part of preparations for potential operations.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that the US was considering an operation to extract the material. The International Atomic Energy Agency has not been able to inspect the sites since being evacuated following the 2025 US-Israeli air campaign.

The Bottom Line

The potential operation to seize Iran's enriched uranium represents one of the most militarily complex scenarios the US could undertake in the Middle East. Experts agree it would require ground forces, specialized nuclear handling capabilities, and extensive logistical planning.

The Trump administration continues to weigh military options alongside diplomatic pressure. The president recently noted that the uranium is "deeply buried" and would be difficult to access, suggesting uncertainty about the feasibility of any seizure operation.

What remains clear is that Iran continues to possess significant amounts of enriched uranium that could, if further processed, be used in a nuclear weapon. The international community, through the International Atomic Energy Agency, has limited visibility into Iran's current nuclear facilities following the evacuation of inspectors. The next several weeks will likely determine whether diplomatic solutions can be reached or if military planning proceeds further.