How Trump’s complex operation to extract Iran’s enriched uranium could unfold

The Hill
by Filip Timotija
March 31, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump administration is considering deploying U.S. special operations troops directly into Iran to extract enriched uranium in an unprecedented military operation.

How This Affects You

Direct U.S. military intervention in Iran could escalate into armed conflict, potentially affecting gas prices, military deployment of family members, and broader economic instability affecting Americans' savings and employment.

AI Summary

President Trump is considering deploying U.S. troops directly into Iran to extract the country's highly enriched uranium in what would be an unprecedented and high-risk military operation. The plan would involve elite special operations teams penetrating deep into Iranian territory to remove radioactive material, a mission expected to take several days and expose American personnel to significant danger. Such a deployment would represent an extraordinary escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions and could trigger a direct military confrontation with Iranian forces. The operation reflects the Trump administration's hardline approach to Iran's nuclear program, though the logistical and political challenges of executing such a mission inside a hostile nation remain substantial.

Source Coverage Map

13 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

Overlooked Story
30% coverage
Did Not Cover (30)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96ProPublica95+25 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Chatter and fear about US military draft emerge as Trump’s Iran war drags on
National Security

Chatter and fear about US military draft emerge as Trump’s Iran war drags on

<p>Though the US is almost certainly not going to have a draft, media commentary and online anxiety have surfaced</p><p>The United States is almost certainly not going to have a military draft to fight Iran. That hasn’t stopped the chatter, and anxiety, across the country.</p><p>In recent weeks, Donald Trump has ordered a number of marines and army paratroopers to head to the Middle East, gesturing toward a possible ground war to reopen the strait of Hormuz or secure nuclear weapons material. The provocative military activity has led to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/30/how-could-us-forcibly-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-iran-what-are-the-risks">speculative conversation</a> about what it would take to invade a country twice the population and three times the territory of Iraq.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/31/us-military-draft-fears-trump-iran-war">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 31
Trump: Military ‘building a massive complex’ under new White House ballroom
National Security

Trump: Military ‘building a massive complex’ under new White House ballroom

President Trump said late Sunday that the U.S. military is “building a massive complex” under his controversial new White House ballroom. “Now, the military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.  “But the military…

The HillMar 30
Trump administration sidelines, threatens Europe in Iran war: EU flounders in new world order
Global

Trump administration sidelines, threatens Europe in Iran war: EU flounders in new world order

After Greenland and trade tariffs, US President Donald Trump is threatening European countries once again. If they fail to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, "it will be very bad for the future of NATO", Trump has said. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made it clear that the US will make its own security decisions, whatever Europe thinks. Admittedly, Europe's own standing has been diminished by its inability to speak with one clear voice on this crisis, as on previous ones. Our guests evaluate the EU's response as US-Israeli strikes on Iran continue.

AFP / France 24Mar 27
One month into Iran war, some Trump objectives are unfulfilled as he looks to wind down the conflict - AP News
National Security

One month into Iran war, some Trump objectives are unfulfilled as he looks to wind down the conflict - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxQNDhWWHl5dy1sZ0RMWjlsam9BMHQwaDhJaHRmRUE0blotRlRUbGxDcTM2QjBrdlIwRjRlWEpmaVBCQ1NXbGlHQm4zZDRiQUlpS3NyYVRXajdQUmNfYms2V1g0V1pxMjY2S3ZUVXZlcTZQMWNJRjIySi1ZOXVuRVJ0NFJZV0dSU1E4Y0tUdGZSYWNuQ25fOWc?oc=5" target="_blank">One month into Iran war, some Trump objectives are unfulfilled as he looks to wind down the conflict</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 28
Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast - AP News
Global

Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxNbEVCYW5qYUdxR3NzckpSeXBTd0lNV3cyMzdnSWJuOGYwOE9nSDh4ck9uMUh3N0duTUtndjlYNTNjQWJaU2Z6anc4MVNUS2x4aXpHdF9QZnZiZVNxTER1WktTQTdkWkxtOWJLc0E3Q2s4T3BkV0ZtVWY5bnFJdjV3NkxIbGRfRjlNSWY3QjdzNDcxRzl2RmYyWVk3OFRKUUVONVdV?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 30
'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio - Reuters
Politics

'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxOMG1wX3BaYkRGekduZURYQmNnQTU2NDY3Q2hiLUpDMnJRY1NsS2d4UlhOb01zeUJvaDl1LUtOMHdTR1dYWkdpSEk3ZlJ4S0V2YXc2em9ldDNVWEl6X1JFVFlBVzJiVkN6V3UwSE5zZ2ZEd2dGYjExTFZWQTRLUU9GV1VyVk92dDV3SU1lb2wtdUFlcnA2QVJJVWhPWlI5THNkc3JRQTRVb1MtbHdveTB1QkVR?oc=5" target="_blank">'JD or Marco?’: Iran war raises 2028 stakes as Trump weighs Vance vs. Rubio</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 29
Read Next
Trump posts video of massive bombing in Iran's Isfahan
National Security

Trump posts video of massive bombing in Iran's Isfahan

President Trump posted a video of a strike in Iran's central city of Isfahan, which is the home to one of three nuclear facilities attacked by the U.S. military in June 2025. CBS News' Olivia Gazis and Elizabeth Palmer report.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources