Washington, March 17 (SANA) – Any U.S.-Israeli attempt to seize Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium would require a highly complex and unprecedented military operation, due to the fortified and underground nature of Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to U.S. officials and security experts cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Experts say a significant portion of Iran’s enriched uranium is stored in hardened underground tunnels, making access extremely difficult and increasing the scale of any potential operation.
Large-scale and high-risk mission
Military analysts estimate that such an operation could require the deployment of more than 1,000 special forces personnel, supported by engineering units tasked with navigating debris, mines and possible booby traps inside the facilities, as well as securing surrounding areas.
Retired U.S. Admiral James Stavridis described the scenario as potentially “the largest special forces operation in history,” given the scale of forces required and the complexity of Iran’s fortified infrastructure.
Experts also warn that any ground operation would face continuous threats from Iranian drones and missile systems, necessitating extensive air cover and layered defense systems. Extracting nuclear materials could pose an additional challenge, potentially requiring access to nearby airfields or the construction of temporary runways to transport sensitive materials.
Alternative options and risks
Some analysts suggest alternative approaches, such as neutralizing or destroying the materials in place, but caution that such actions could carry serious environmental risks, including radioactive contamination.
The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has indicated that roughly half of Iran’s uranium enriched to 60% purity is stored within a tunnel complex near Isfahan, highlighting the strategic and logistical challenges of any operation.
Rising international concern
Estimates suggest Iran possessed around 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% prior to strikes on its facilities in 2025—an amount that could theoretically be further enriched to produce multiple nuclear weapons—alongside approximately 200 kilograms enriched to 20%.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, rising enrichment levels and the expansion of underground facilities have intensified international concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier this month that all options remain on the table, including the possible deployment of special forces to secure Iran’s nuclear materials, underscoring the growing strategic importance of the issue.
Kh.A
