Foreign media evaluate that if Trump decides to send troops to seize or destroy all of Iran’s nuclear fuel, it will be a military operation of great risk. (Image from Donald J. Trump’s official page)
The war between the US and Iran has not ceased. The New York Times pointed out that based on recent remarks by President Trump, it is not ruled out that he will use ground action to completely destroy or recover Iran’s nuclear materials. This task is fraught with dangers and uncertainties, which could accelerate nuclear reactions or lead to the leakage of radioactive materials, making it bolder than the assassination of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and could become one of the most dangerous military operations in modern American history.
Trump emphasizes preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and may launch ground operations
On the 17th, the New York Times reported that Trump repeatedly mentioned that Tehran is about to acquire nuclear weapons. Taking military action against Iran is to prevent them from refining enriched uranium into weapons that “they could use within one hour or one day.” He also disregards expert assessments that Iran could enrich nuclear fuel to weapons-grade in one month, but it would take several months to produce nuclear weapons. Trump directly stated that Iran is “only a month away” from producing a nuclear bomb.
Currently, there are no signs of easing in the Middle East conflicts. Trump seems to be considering launching a ground operation against Iran. Although he previously stated that he would only consider ground operations when Iran’s military collapses, he recently responded to the media by saying he is “not afraid”; Secretary of State Rubio also stated that only by sending special forces to “deeply retrieve nuclear fuel” can the problem be resolved.
The quantity and hiding locations of Iran’s nuclear fuel are unknown, making the operation risky
The report evaluates that the deep operation directly targeting Iran’s nuclear fuel is “high risk”; no one clearly knows all the hiding places, and if the containers loaded are pierced, the leaked gas may be toxic and radioactive. Moreover, the containers being too close may also accelerate nuclear reactions. George Perkovich, Vice President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, believes that Iran must have a meticulous preservation plan for nuclear fuel, with facilities possibly containing hundreds or thousands of containers (including false ones), making it difficult for the US to recover them.
Harvard nuclear expert Matthew Bunn analyzed that, in addition to the deep underground facilities in Isfahan, some of Iran’s nuclear fuel may also be hidden in tunnels beneath “Pickaxe Mountain,” or at the already destroyed Fordow and Natanz enrichment facilities.
The US-Iran nuclear discussions remain unresolved, and the war’s endpoint is unclear
The report further adds that Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif suggested in February that, under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran would ensure that nuclear fuel would be used at the “nuclear power plant” level, but the materials must remain within Iran. However, the US rejected this, insisting that Iran must not possess any nuclear storage, with the US promising to supply low-enriched uranium for free in the long term. Ultimately, both sides could not reach a consensus on nuclear issues, leading to the suspension of negotiations between the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.
Now, Trump hints that he may invade Iran to seize nuclear facilities or destroy enriched uranium. The New York Times believes that the danger and complexity of this task far exceeds the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011 and the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro in early 2026. However, Bunn noted that if Trump terminates the operation, it may leave behind a regime capable of manufacturing nuclear bombs and harboring deep hatred for the US.