The United States and Israel are reportedly discussing the possibility of deploying special forces to seize Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, according to a report by Axios citing four sources familiar with the matter. The report states that former President Donald Trump’s war objective includes preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and capturing approximately 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent.
Axios further reported that the operation would likely take place in a later phase of the conflict, once Iran’s military loses its ability to maintain strong defensive positions. The report also recalled that in June, the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and infrastructure.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that Iran did not grant inspectors access to the bombed sites and that the agency found no evidence of a coordinated program to produce nuclear weapons.