Trump team drafts plan to seize Iran's nuclear stockpile — CBS News
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
The Trump administration is developing strategies and options to secure or remove Iran's nuclear capabilities as the military campaign enters an uncertain phase, CBS News reports.
According to sources, planning is focused on the possible deployment of forces from the secret US Central Command, an elite military unit often tasked with the most sensitive counter-proliferation missions.
Officials also say the Trump administration is not ruling out an attempt to seize Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium as part of the ongoing military campaign. Earlier this week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that this was one of the options under consideration.
According to the IAEA, as of last summer, Iran had accumulated about 972 pounds of uranium enriched to 60%, a level close to weapons-grade material. Much of that uranium remains underground at nuclear sites that were bombed during last summer's US operation.
As of March 20, it remained unclear whether US President Donald Trump would order an operation targeting Iran's uranium. One source said the US leader has not yet made a decision.
CBS notes that any operation to seize the uranium would be complex and potentially risky, citing comments made this week by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. According to him, it refers to cylinders containing gas with a high level of uranium hexafluoride (60%). Therefore, handling it will be a very difficult and complex operation.
At the same time, in the spring of 2025, the US intelligence concluded that Iran was not attempting to build a nuclear weapon, while Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.
However, in recent years, Iran has enriched uranium to 60%, exceeding levels needed for most non-military uses. The IAEA has said Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state enriching uranium to that level.
Peace or war
Overnight, US President Donald Trump said Washington is considering reducing military activity in the Middle East once the goals of the campaign are achieved and the threat from Iran is eliminated. According to him, the United States is "very close" to accomplishing its objectives.
At the same time, CBS News reported on March 20 that the Pentagon is preparing for the possible deployment of US ground forces in Iran. Thousands of Marines are already being moved to the Middle East.
Also, WP reports that the Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a request to Congress for more than $200 billion in funding for the war against Iran.
