Washington DC [US], March 21 (ANI): As the security situation in West Asia and the Gulf evolves, CBS News reported Friday, citing sources briefed on discussions, that the Trump administration has been exploring options to retrieve Iran’s nuclear material.
CBS said the timing of any operation remains unclear and that President Trump has not yet decided. Plans have focused on potentially using forces from the Joint Special Operations Command, the US unit often tasked with sensitive counter-proliferation missions, two sources told CBS.
The report noted that, as of last summer, Iran had amassed about 972 pounds of 60%-enriched uranium, a short step from weapons-grade material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Much of that uranium reportedly remains under nuclear sites that were bombed by the US last year during Operation Midnight Hammer.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week that retrieving the stockpiles “it’s an option on the table for him.”
A mission to seize the material would be risky. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told CBS it would require “incredible military capabilities.” He added, “We’re talking about cylinders containing gas of highly contaminated uranium hexafluoride at 60%, so it’s very difficult to handle.”
CBS also reported the US intelligence community assessed last spring that Tehran was not attempting to build a nuclear weapon, and Iran has maintained its program is for peaceful purposes. With enrichment at 60%, the IAEA has said Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich to that level.
Before the conflict in West Asia, the US and Iran held rounds of talks addressing Iran’s nuclear program. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who helped mediate, said discussions included blending Iran’s highly enriched uranium down and converting it to fuel.
The report follows a message from President Trump on Truth Social saying the United States is close to meeting its objectives as it considers winding down operations against Iran.
Meanwhile, the US Department of War provided an update on the past week, saying thousands of Iranian targets were hit in Operation Epic Fury. US Central Command forces have damaged or sunk more than 120 Iranian naval vessels, including all 11 of their submarines.
Earlier this week, Trump, Hegseth and Air Force Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid tribute to six KC-135 Stratotanker crew members who, along with seven other service members, lost their lives in Operation Epic Fury.
“The targets pursued under Operation Epic Fury include command and control centres; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters and intelligence sites; air defence systems; ballistic missile, anti-ship missile and surface-to-air missile sites; weapon production and storage bunkers; military infrastructure and communications capabilities; and naval ships and submarines,” the post said.
Amid the conflict, Trump said Washington is not seeking a ceasefire. Speaking outside the White House, he said, “We can have dialogue, but I don’t want to do a ceasefire. You don’t do a ceasefire when you’re literally obliterating the other side. We’re not looking to do that.” (ANI)
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