Why US and Israel are considering special forces to neutralise Iran’s uranium stockpile

Reports by Axios and Semafor indicate that Washington and Tel Aviv are evaluating the possibility of deploying elite ground units if the ongoing conflict deepens and Iran’s nuclear assets become vulnerable.

• US and Israel consider special forces to secure Iran's uranium
• Options: extract or dilute nuclear material on-site
• Operation would target key sites like Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan

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As tensions between Iran, the US and Israel continue to escalate, a new and potentially risky military option is being discussed behind the scenes — sending special forces into Iran to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU).

Reports by Axios and Semafor indicate that Washington and Tel Aviv are evaluating the possibility of deploying elite ground units if the ongoing conflict deepens and Iran’s nuclear assets become vulnerable.

Why Iran’s uranium stockpile matters

At the centre of the discussions is Iran’s reserve of highly enriched uranium, estimated to be around 450–460 kilograms. HEU is a key material used in nuclear weapons if enriched to sufficient levels.

Securing or neutralising this stockpile has therefore become a major strategic priority for the US and Israel as the conflict unfolds.

The discussions come after the start of a major military confrontation on February 28, when the US and Israel launched a coordinated offensive against Iran. The campaign has been codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel.

According to sources cited by Axios, the special forces option would likely be considered at a later stage of the war, particularly if air strikes fail to completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

How the operation could work

Reports suggest two main approaches are under consideration for securing Iran’s nuclear material.

1. Extraction and removal

One option would involve sending specialised military units to seize the uranium stockpile and physically transport it out of Iran.

This would require locating the exact storage sites, securing the facilities and safely extracting the material — an extremely complex task given the security surrounding Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

2. On-site dilution

Another possibility is neutralising the uranium where it is stored. In this scenario, nuclear experts would accompany special forces units and chemically dilute the material on site, making it unusable for weapons development.

This method would avoid the logistical challenge of transporting hazardous nuclear material but would still require boots on the ground inside heavily fortified facilities.

The role of elite US units

Reports indicate that the US Army’s Delta Force, one of America’s most secretive special operations units, has already trained for missions involving the capture of nuclear materials and the securing of centrifuge facilities.

Such units would likely spearhead any ground operation inside Iran.

Potential targets

Iran’s nuclear programme is spread across multiple hardened sites, meaning any operation would likely focus on key facilities such as Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

These sites house centrifuges and other infrastructure used in uranium enrichment.

Satellite imagery from early March 2026 has already indicated damage to buildings near the entrance of the Natanz Nuclear Facility, reportedly caused by earlier air strikes.

What support would be needed

A ground mission to secure nuclear material would be highly complex and risky, requiring extensive military support.

This could include air cover, intelligence surveillance, and logistical backing from regional bases or aircraft carriers. Reports suggest assets such as the USS Abraham Lincoln could play a role in supporting such operations.

While the plan remains under discussion, it underscores how central Iran’s nuclear programme has become to the rapidly escalating conflict in the region.