How Trump’s dream of seizing enriched uranium from Iran could end in catastrophe

France 24 • March 31, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a military operation to seize Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpiles, as tensions in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran continue into the second month.
Iran held approximately 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent before recent US-Israeli strikes, enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further enriched, but much of it may be hidden in underground tunnels, complicating any retrieval efforts.
Experts warn that such an operation would require a large-scale ground offensive involving significant US and possibly Israeli forces, making it one of the most complex and risky military missions since World War II.
Handling and extracting uranium hexafluoride is extremely dangerous due to its toxicity and radioactivity, necessitating specialized protective gear and expertise, while the hostile environment would increase the risk of casualties.
Even a successful seizure would not eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as the country retains centrifuges, technical know-how, and other uranium stocks, meaning the risk of future nuclear weapon development would persist.

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