Trump Eyes Ground Forces for Iran's Uranium Stockpile

President Donald Trump indicated on Saturday that the United States has not ruled out deploying ground forces to secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a key element in the ongoing conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes last year. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the potential operation as a future option once Iranian defenses are further weakened, emphasizing that such a move would not occur immediately.

The consideration arises amid intelligence assessments showing that Iran retains access to approximately 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, stored primarily in underground facilities at Isfahan, with smaller amounts at Fordow and Natanz. These sites were targeted during a 12-day U.S.-Israeli air campaign last June, which sealed much of the material beneath rubble but left narrow access points that could allow retrieval. U.S. officials believe the uranium, currently in gaseous form within canisters, could be further enriched to weapons-grade levels of 90 percent within weeks if Iran's centrifuges remain operational, potentially yielding material for up to 10 nuclear warheads.