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US Could Deploy Ground Troops To Secure Iran’s Highly-Enriched Uranium Stockpile: Report
US Could Deploy Ground Troops To Secure Iran’s Highly-Enriched Uranium Stockpile: Report
Recovering Iran’s remaining highly enriched uranium stockpile, believed to be stored deep underground, could require a significant deployment of US ground troops beyond a small special operations presence, according to a CNN report citing seven current and former officials familiar with military planning.
The report said the uranium stockpile, material that could potentially be used to produce a nuclear weapon, was not completely destroyed during US bombing strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities last June.
Much of the remaining highly enriched uranium is believed to be located at Iran’s Isfahan nuclear facility, sources told the report.
If Washington were to move forward with an operation to retrieve the uranium, it could mark the first major deployment of US ground forces in the campaign, significantly escalating the conflict and placing a large number of troops in a potentially dangerous mission involving highly radioactive material.
URANIUM BELIEVED STORED IN UNDERGROUND TUNNELS
According to the report, the uranium at Isfahan is believed to be hidden in underground tunnels that survived last year’s airstrikes.
Two sources said Iranian authorities have been working for months after the strikes to clear debris from aboveground structures at the facility and regain access to the underground tunnels where the uranium was stored.
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said earlier this week that around 200 kilograms of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely still located at the Isfahan site, with some also believed to be at the Natanz nuclear facility.
Highly enriched uranium is considered a dual-use material.
Iran has said it produces the material for peaceful energy purposes. However, enrichment above around 90 per cent could make it suitable for nuclear weapons.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran’s uranium is currently enriched to around 60 per cent.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS INFILTRATION UNDER DISCUSSION
The report said airstrikes alone may not be sufficient to destroy the uranium stored inside the tunnels at Isfahan.
The facility reportedly lacks ventilation shafts that could serve as structural weak points, making it difficult to penetrate through aerial bombardment.
As a result, discussions within the Trump administration have reportedly included deploying elite units from the US military’s Joint Special Operations Command, potentially working alongside Israeli commando forces, to infiltrate the tunnels and secure or destroy the uranium.
However, officials cited in the report said such an operation would likely require dozens or even hundreds of additional troops to secure the surrounding area and provide logistical support.
Specialised teams trained to handle radiological materials, known as “render safe units", could also be required to neutralise the uranium or make the facility unusable.
A retired special forces officer not involved in the planning was quoted as saying that the mission could involve tier-one special operations units, explosive ordnance disposal personnel, outer security forces such as the 75th Ranger Regiment or the 82nd Airborne Division, and air support, including MC-130J aircraft or MH-47 Chinook helicopters.
“The logistics and risk involved would be prohibitive, to say the least," one person familiar with the discussions was quoted as saying.
TRUMP RAISES POSSIBILITY OF GROUND TROOPS
US President Donald Trump had earlier raised the possibility of sending American ground forces to secure Iran’s enriched uranium.
“At some point, maybe we will. That would be a great thing," Trump told reporters during a briefing aboard Air Force One on March 8.
“We haven’t gone after it, but it’s something we could do later," he said.
When asked about the broader possibility of deploying US troops inside Iran, Trump did not rule out the option.
“Could there be? Possibly, for a very good reason, it’d have to be a very good reason," he said.
“And I would say if we ever did that, they would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight at the ground level," Trump added.
Meanwhile, the report also noted that MC-130J aircraft capable of supporting covert infiltration and extraction missions are currently operating out of RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom, positioning them closer to Iran should such an operation be required.
Officials cited in the report said that without a collapse of Iran’s leadership, some level of diplomatic engagement may ultimately be necessary alongside military options to eliminate the country’s enriched uranium stockpile.
Source: News18
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