Iran Calls US Rescue Mission a Cover to Steal Enriched Uranium

The Trump administration celebrated the rescue of the second crew member of the F-15E shot down over Iran.

“Iran, the political fringe and anti-war commentators have questioned the official story behind the Hollywood-esque rescue of a US aviator”

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Five US aircraft were destroyed during the mission after becoming immobilized in sand.

AFR

Iran's military dismissed the operation as a deception and escape mission.

The Foreign Ministry alleged it may have been a cover to steal enriched uranium.

The accusation that the rescue was a diversion to seize enriched uranium was echoed by multiple Iranian officials.

Tehran reportedly holds between 400 and 450 kilograms of enriched uranium.

Al-Jazeera Net

The Palestinian Chronicle noted the Iranian framing had shifted from a failed rescue to a strategic operation targeting nuclear assets.

The Atlantic Council described the operation as a high-risk gamble with unclear objectives.

“Iran raises suspicion of ‘uranium theft’ plot after clashes with US forces Recent US operations may have been meant as cover to seize Iran's enriched uranium, a long-standing issue between 2 countries, says Iranian spokesman Sahin Demir April 06, 2026•Update: April 06, 2026 ISTANBUL Recent US military operations inside Iran may have been meant as cover to seize the country’s enriched uranium, a spokesman said following a series of clashes linked to attempts to rescue downed American personnel”

Anadolu Ajansı

Congressional Democrats demanded briefings on the constitutional basis for the strikes.

Largely symbolic protests rippled across Washington, Paris, London, and Berlin.