The United States and Israel have discussed the possibility of sending special forces into Iran at a later stage of the ongoing war to secure Tehran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to multiple reports. The conflict so far has been fought largely through missiles and drones, but deliberations in Washington are increasingly examining limited ground operations aimed at narrowly defined strategic objectives rather than a full-scale invasion.
Donald Trump has privately shown strong interest in deploying a small number of American troops for specific missions inside Iran, officials familiar with internal discussions said. Conversations with senior aides and Republican allies have reportedly focused on precision deployments involving elite units assigned to tightly scoped objectives. The emphasis remains on limited engagement rather than sustained conventional warfare.
A central concern for US planners is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, estimated at roughly 450 kilograms enriched to about 60 percent purity. Experts warn the material could be converted into weapons-grade uranium within weeks if further enriched. One option under consideration is removing the uranium from Iranian territory, while another involves sending nuclear specialists to neutralise or dilute the material on site.
According to separate reporting, Washington and Israel have explored scenarios in which special forces would enter heavily fortified underground facilities believed to house the uranium reserves. Such an operation would likely require highly trained military units working alongside nuclear experts, potentially including specialists associated with the International Atomic Energy Agency, given the technical complexity and radiological risks involved.
Marco Rubio signalled the possibility of a ground mission during a congressional briefing when questioned about securing the uranium stockpile. Without naming a specific country, he said the material would ultimately require personnel to physically retrieve it. The remark reinforced assessments that airstrikes alone may not fully eliminate nuclear materials stored deep underground.
Trump has not ruled out the use of ground forces but has indicated such action would require compelling justification. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said troops would be deployed only “for a very good reason,” adding that any such move would follow overwhelming military pressure. In another interview, he reiterated that the option remains available while suggesting a major troop deployment is unlikely at present.
The war has already led to casualties among American forces. The Pentagon reports six US service members killed and 18 wounded in Iranian counterattacks since hostilities began. Iranian officials say more than 1,300 people have died inside the country since the joint US-Israeli campaign commenced on February 28.
Meanwhile, Israeli ground operations are continuing beyond Iran’s borders. The Israel Defense Forces are active in southern Lebanon, where evacuation orders have been issued across a broad border zone. Military leadership says operations are aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities and will continue until that objective is achieved.
