The Trump administration is exploring options to secure or extract Iran's nuclear materials, as a U.S.-Israel-led military campaign against Tehran enters a more uncertain phase. This follows an initial focus on degrading Iran's military capabilities and recent discussions within the administration about long-term goals of preventing Iran from producing a nuclear weapon.
Washington — The Trump administration is exploring options, including securing or extracting Iran 's nuclear materials, according to sources familiar with the discussions. This comes as the U.S.-Israel-led military campaign against Tehran enters a more uncertain phase. The timing of any such operation remains unclear, with no decision yet made by President Trump, according to a source.
Planning has reportedly involved the possible deployment of forces from the Joint Special Operations Command, an elite military unit known for its sensitive counter-proliferation missions, two sources informed CBS News. The White House has indicated that it is the Pentagon's responsibility to make the necessary preparations, while the Pentagon has yet to comment. President Trump expressed on Truth Social that progress is being made toward meeting objectives and considering a winding down of military efforts in the Middle East concerning the 'Terrorist Regime of Iran.' These private deliberations about nuclear materials are occurring amidst a changing conflict. Initially, the focus was on degrading Iran's conventional military capabilities, specifically air defenses, missile systems, and infrastructure tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The initial strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces were intended to limit Iran's ability to retaliate across the region. However, despite the aerial attacks, Iran has managed to counterstrike against Israel and U.S.-allied countries in the Gulf region, and has disrupted a significant portion of oil shipments by threatening ships. The conflict has resulted in casualties, including six U.S. service members killed and dozens injured in an Iranian drone attack on a base in Kuwait, and one U.S. service member killed in an attack in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, six Americans died when a refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq last week. More recently, the administration's focus has shifted towards a long-term goal: preventing Iran from producing a nuclear weapon, a goal outlined by Trump from the outset of the war. As of last summer, Iran had accumulated approximately 972 pounds of 60%-enriched uranium, close to weapons-grade material, according to the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Much of this uranium is stored beneath nuclear sites that were targeted in a U.S. operation last summer. U.S. officials have not ruled out retrieving Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium as part of the current military campaign. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated this week that it is an option under consideration. Any mission to seize the uranium would present significant challenges and risks. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA's director-general, emphasized the difficulty due to the highly contaminated nature of the uranium hexafluoride gas. The U.S. intelligence community assessed last spring that Iran was not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon, and Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Nonetheless, Iran has enriched uranium to 60% in recent years, exceeding levels needed for non-military uses. The IAEA has noted that Iran is the only non-nuclear weapons state to enrich uranium to this extent. Ensuring Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon has been a stated objective of Trump since the start of the conflict. Before the war, the U.S. and Iran engaged in indirect talks to limit Iran's nuclear program. These talks covered potential strategies like blending Iran's enriched uranium to lower levels and converting it to fuel, according to Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who facilitated the negotiations. Trump has advocated for a complete halt to uranium enrichment by Iran, including lower levels, a position rejected by the Iranian government
Iran Nuclear Program Trump Administration Military Campaign Uranium
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Administration Considers Deploying Thousands More Troops to the Middle East Amidst Iran ConflictReports suggest the U.S. may send additional troops to the Middle East as the conflict with Iran continues to escalate. Potential deployments are aimed at securing strategic locations and vital waterways amidst rising fuel prices and global instability. Public opposition to military action and the conflict's human cost pose significant challenges for the administration.
Read more »
Ranting Republican Demands Iran Pay for Trump’s War on IranThe conflict has been eating up roughly $1 billion a day.
Read more »
Trump administration making heavy preparations for potential use of ground troops in IranIt is unclear under what circumstances President Trump would authorize the use of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.
Read more »
Senate Democrats wade into their party's most contentious primaries: From the Politics DeskPlus, more mixed messaging from the Trump administration on Iran.
Read more »
President Trump considers 'winding down' Iran operations as US sends more troopsPresident Donald Trump said he is considering 'winding down' Middle East military operation even as US sends more troops to region.
Read more »
Trump administration laying groundwork to resume talks with Iran: reportToday's Video Headlines: 3/21/2026
Read more »