US, Israel Weigh Special Forces Raid to Seize Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile

Multiple media reports say U.S. and Israeli officials have discussed a high-risk special-operations option to seize or secure Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, estimated at roughly 450 kg of material enriched to about 60%.

“US reportedly weighing special forces mission to secure Iran’s enriched uranium Officials say Washington and Israel discussed possible operation to seize or neutralize nuclear material, say media reports Ankara ANKARA The US and Israel have discussed sending special operations forces into Iran to secure the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium during a later phase of the war, media reports said Saturday”

Anadolu Ajansı

Axios frames the discussions as part of a menu of contingency plans to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, noting the material "could be refined to weapons grade within weeks."

Anadolu Ajansı

WION similarly reports Washington and Jerusalem are "weighing a high-risk special forces operation" to seize the stockpile and stresses the reporting is "under consideration, not confirmed."

Anadolu Ajansı also relays that the aim would be to stop Iran from getting a bomb and cites the same estimate of "roughly 450 kg of uranium enriched to about 60%."

Reporting describes two main operational approaches under discussion: inserting special-operations teams to physically remove the material, or bringing in technical teams (potentially including IAEA personnel) to neutralize or dilute the uranium on site.

News.cgtn summarises Axios’s account that teams would 'either remove the material or host outside experts (possibly including IAEA personnel) to dilute it on site.'

ANI News

Anadolu Ajansı echoes those options, saying planners are weighing 'removing the uranium from Iran entirely or bringing in experts to dilute the material in place.'

Axios adds that missions would likely pair 'special operators with nuclear scientists and could involve the IAEA.'

Turkey-area coverage also stresses that planners see these as limited raids rather than full invasions.

Sources emphasize significant operational risks and constraints for raids on the stockpile.

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Axios

They say the raids would likely require access to heavily fortified, sometimes underground sites.

Axios warns such an operation 'would probably occur only after Iran’s military threat had been sufficiently degraded' and lists steep practical hurdles, including 'finding the material, getting to it, securing physical control.'

Caliber.Az echoes the caution, saying the plan 'would only be practical if Iranian armed forces no longer posed a significant threat.'

Fortune notes concerns that the stockpile’s whereabouts are uncertain because it has been 'nearly nine months since U.N. atomic inspectors last verified the material’s location.'

Several pieces cite Isfahan as the main stockpile site, with smaller quantities at Fordow and Natanz, and estimate that about 450 kg of roughly 60% HEU could be refined to weapons grade within weeks.

Türkiye Today summarises estimates that 'The Isfahan stockpile is estimated at ~450 kg of roughly 60% enriched uranium' and that 'If further enriched to 90%, that amount could yield fissile material for about 11 nuclear bombs'.

Fortune

WION and Anadolu Ajansı both repeat the roughly 450 kg/60% figure and note that much of the HEU is reportedly stored underground or in tunnels, complicating access and raising the stakes for any operation.

Türkiye Today also reports earlier strikes 'reportedly sealed entrances at Natanz and Isfahan and destroyed most centrifuges,' though officials say there is no evidence enrichment has resumed.

Reporters and officials emphasise that the planning is preliminary and politically sensitive.

“A reported attack on the 28th allegedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials”

Deccan Chronicle

News.cgtn quotes a White House spokesperson saying the president keeps "all options open."

Mint

Türkiye Today records President Trump as saying, "Maybe we will do it later," with press secretary Karoline Leavitt adding he "wisely keeps all options available."

Anadolu Ajansı notes Senator Marco Rubio told a briefing "people are going to have to go and get it."

Axios cautions the ultimate decision would rest with the president and relevant agencies and that the discussions were part of contingency planning rather than a confirmed mission.

WION underlines the uncertainty by stressing the plan is "under consideration, not confirmed."