JUST IN: US Military Briefs President Trump on High-Risk Operation Involving Troops and Cargo Planes to Seize Iran’s Highly Enriched Uranium, WaPo Reports

JUST IN: The Pentagon has presented President Donald Trump with a detailed special operations plan to extract nearly 1,000 pounds (approximately 454 kilograms) of Iran’s highly enriched uranium using ground troops, excavation equipment, and cargo planes to build temporary runways for removal — a complex and unprecedented mission requested by the president himself, according to The Washington Post.

By Reflecto News Staff
April 2, 2026

WASHINGTON – U.S. military planners have briefed President Trump on a high-stakes commando-style operation aimed at physically seizing and removing Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU) buried deep inside the country. The plan, developed at Trump’s request, would involve inserting hundreds or potentially thousands of troops, flying in heavy excavation equipment, securing underground facilities damaged by prior strikes, and constructing makeshift runways for cargo aircraft to airlift the radioactive material out of Iran.

The Washington Post reported that the briefing occurred in the past week, highlighting the significant operational risks involved in what would be one of the most dangerous ground missions ever considered during active wartime.

Details of the Proposed Operation

According to sources familiar with the briefing:

• The mission targets roughly 970–1,000 pounds of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium, which Iran has stockpiled in deeply buried or hardened facilities.
• It would require special operations forces to secure perimeters around compromised nuclear sites (hit by previous U.S.-Israeli bunker-buster strikes during Operation Epic Fury).
• Heavy equipment for excavation would be airlifted in, followed by the construction of temporary runways to allow large cargo planes to extract the material.
• The entire operation could take days to weeks and would likely face resistance from Iranian forces, posing severe risks to U.S. personnel.

This plan represents a potential major escalation beyond airstrikes, shifting from degradation of capabilities to physical removal of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear material to prevent any future reconstitution of a weapons program.

Strategic Context Within Operation Epic Fury

Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, 2026, has already involved extensive airstrikes on Iranian missile bases (including in Isfahan), IRGC facilities, air defenses, and leadership targets. The campaign has degraded much of Iran’s nuclear-related infrastructure, but uncertainty remains about the exact location and security of the remaining HEU stockpile, as international inspectors have not had access for months.

President Trump has signaled strong interest in permanently neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat. The briefing aligns with broader U.S. force buildups in the region, including:

• The recent doubling of the A-10 Warthog fleet for close air support and maritime interdiction.
• Deployments of additional special operations forces, Marines, and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division.
• Sustained pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran continues its selective “toll booth” regime.

Why This Mission Is Highly Complex and Risky

Defense experts describe the proposed operation as unprecedented in scale and danger:

• Ground Insertion: Inserting troops into active Iranian territory while the country is under bombardment and capable of asymmetric responses.
• Technical Challenges: Excavating and handling radioactive material under combat conditions, followed by safe transport and extraction.
• Iranian Response: Potential heavy resistance from IRGC forces, proxy militias, or remaining air defenses.
• Escalation Risks: A ground incursion could dramatically widen the conflict, provoke stronger Iranian retaliation, and complicate international diplomacy.

Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have repeatedly warned against threats and ultimatums, stating that “no one can set deadlines for us” and that assassinations or strikes have not weakened the regime’s resolve.

Reactions and Implications

U.S. Side: The briefing reflects Trump’s desire for decisive action to eliminate Iran’s nuclear breakout capability. However, it also underscores internal debates about the risks versus rewards of ground operations.

Iranian Side: Tehran is likely to view any such plan as outright aggression and an act of war. President Masoud Pezeshkian has continued distinguishing between ordinary Americans and U.S. government policy in public letters, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s office projects continuity and resilience.

International Community: The UK’s upcoming meeting of around 35 countries on reopening the Strait of Hormuz could be overshadowed by fears of further escalation. Global energy markets, already volatile due to Hormuz disruptions, may react sharply to news of potential U.S. ground operations.

Analysts warn that while airstrikes have weakened Iran’s capabilities, a ground mission to seize nuclear material carries enormous political, military, and humanitarian risks with no guarantee of complete success.

Looking Ahead

Whether President Trump greenlights any version of this operation remains unclear. It would mark a historic shift in the conflict — from air-dominated strikes to boots-on-the-ground intervention inside Iran.

As Operation Epic Fury enters its second month, developments in the Strait of Hormuz, any public appearance by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and outcomes from the UK-led diplomatic meeting will influence the trajectory.

Reflecto News will continue monitoring official responses from Washington and Tehran, any further details on the briefing, and potential impacts on regional stability and global energy security.

Related Coverage on Reflecto News:

• UK to Host Meeting of 35 Countries on Reopening Strait of Hormuz
• Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi Warns Trump: “Must Change His Approach”
• U.S. Intelligence: Iran Not Willing for Serious Ceasefire Talks
• Iran’s “Toll Booth” Regime in the Strait of Hormuz
• Operation Epic Fury: Aftermath of Strikes on IRGC Missile Base in Isfahan
• Iranian President Pezeshkian’s Letter to Americans: “No Enmity Towards Ordinary Americans”

This report is based on The Washington Post’s exclusive reporting and cross-verified details from multiple defense and intelligence sources covering the ongoing 2026 U.S.-Iran conflict.