US weighs special forces operation to seize Iran's enriched uranium stockpile

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The United States is weighing a military operation in which special forces would seize Iran's enriched uranium stockpile from nuclear facilities rather than attempt to destroy it through airstrikes, the New York Post reported, citing a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, Joseph Rodgers, and reporting by The High Side. The scenario under discussion would extend beyond special operations units and involve thousands of troops in a large-scale ground operation, according to the report. Forces would need to secure the facilities, clear explosives and traps, breach partially destroyed structures, and establish defensive perimeters to repel counterattacks. Units that could participate include SEAL Team 6, the 2nd Ranger Battalion and the U.S. Army's 21st Ordnance Battalion, which would handle the transport of enriched uranium from sites such as Fordow and Isfahan to secure locations, The High Side reported. International Atomic Energy Agency data indicated Iran held more than 20,000 pounds of enriched uranium as of 2025. Former National Security Council official Richard Goldberg said the central challenge would be enabling U.S. forces to remain on Iranian territory for the duration of the operation while maintaining secure lines of withdrawal. CNN reported last month that explosives and mines had been placed in the tunnels of the Isfahan facility.