The U.S. and Israel are considering deploying special forces into Iran to seize enriched uranium and the oil port of Khark Island
The United States and Israel are considering deploying special forces into Iran in the later stages of military action against Iran to seize high-purity enriched uranium. In addition to blocking the nuclear threat, the plan also involves taking control of Iran's strategic energy hub—Kharg Island. This energy terminal is responsible for about 90% of Iran's national crude oil exports
On March 8, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency citing U.S. media Axios, the United States and Israel are considering sending special forces into Iran in the later stages of military operations against Iran to seize high-purity enriched uranium.
The report cites multiple informed sources stating that the Trump administration has discussed two options: either transporting all enriched uranium out of Iran or allowing nuclear experts to conduct dilution processing on-site.
It is reported that there are approximately 450 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium within Iran. However, a U.S. official, while revealing the challenges of this operation, stated: “The first question is, where are they? The second question is, how do we get there and gain physical control?”
Notably, in addition to blocking the nuclear threat, this plan also involves seizing Iran's strategic energy hub—Kharg Island. This energy terminal is responsible for about 90% of Iran's national crude oil exports. Once the island is controlled, Iran's energy lifeline will face the risk of being cut off.
"Special Raid" Not "Ground War"
In response to concerns about "ground troops entering Iran," U.S. officials have made strict clarifications.
Senior U.S. officials clearly pointed out: "For Trump, 'boots on the ground' (ground operations) do not equate to what the media understands."
The report states that this operation is not a traditional "ground troop combat," but rather resembles a small-scale special operations raid, rather than a large-scale troop deployment.
According to the concepts currently disclosed by the media, this mission will be carried out by elite special forces in coordination with nuclear experts (possibly including International Atomic Energy Agency experts). The operation has set a clear trigger threshold: the U.S. and Israel will only take action after confirming that the Iranian military does not pose a "serious threat" to the troops they send.
The Last Line of Defense in Strategic Game
In June last year, the U.S. and Israel destroyed most of Iran's centrifuges through airstrikes and used the ruins to block its nuclear stockpile. However, these materials still exist, hanging over the U.S. and Israel like the "Sword of Damocles."
When discussing whether to send troops into Iran to seize these materials, Trump stated that ground troops "could possibly" be deployed, but only if there are "very sufficient reasons."
"If we are to do this, Iran's defensive capabilities must have been destroyed to the extent that they cannot conduct a ground counterattack," Trump told the media.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded that President Trump "wisely keeps all options open and does not rule out any possibilities."
