US President Donald Trump has revealed that his administration once considered sending American troops into Iran to recover the country’s enriched uranium stockpile but abandoned the plan due to major operational risks and fears of another military failure similar to the 1980 Iran hostage rescue mission.
Speaking during an interaction with reporters, Trump said Pentagon planners explored several military options to extract Iran’s uranium reserves — material he described as “nuclear dust” — amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Tehran.
However, the proposal was ultimately shelved because of the scale of military mobilisation required and concerns over troop safety.
“I didn’t feel like being like Jimmy Carter,” Trump remarked, referencing former US President Jimmy Carter’s failed 1980 operation to rescue 52 American hostages held at the US Embassy in Tehran — a mission widely viewed as one of Washington’s biggest military embarrassments.
Why Trump Rejected the Iran Uranium Mission?
According to Trump, military experts warned that recovering Iran’s enriched uranium would not be a quick strike operation. Instead, it would require a prolonged ground presence, heavy logistics, and specialised equipment.
“This is different. You have to be there for two weeks. You’d need massive equipment. You’d have to airlift the equipment,” Trump explained.
The US president indicated that while the operation was discussed during the early stages of the conflict, officials concluded the risks outweighed the benefits, especially given Iran’s ability to retaliate and the dangers posed to American forces inside hostile territory.
Trump emphasized that he did not want to place US troops in unnecessary danger.
“I don’t want to do it if we’re in conflict. I don’t want to put men in that kind of danger,” he said.
Trump Says Iran’s Uranium is ‘Entombed’
Despite rejecting the military operation, Trump claimed the United States still possesses the capability to seize the uranium stockpile if necessary.
“We could get it right now. I don’t think they could stop us if we wanted, but there’s no reason to. It’s entombed,” Trump said.
The president argued that the uranium stockpile is currently buried beneath heavily damaged underground nuclear facilities targeted during joint US-Israeli military operations earlier this year. According to him, the destruction has effectively trapped the material under rubble, concrete, and rock, reducing any immediate nuclear threat.
Trump also disclosed that the sites are being closely monitored by US surveillance systems.
“We have cameras; every angle of those three underground nuclear sites is being watched at all times,” he said, warning that any Iranian attempt to recover the material could trigger further military action.
US-Iran Nuclear Talks Enter Critical Phase
Trump’s remarks come as Washington and Tehran continue high-stakes negotiations aimed at halting hostilities and reviving broader nuclear discussions following months of regional instability.
According to reports, senior US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner recently visited Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to consult nuclear specialists expected to play a key role in future talks.
The White House is reportedly pushing for an agreement that would impose strict timelines for reducing Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. However, major disagreements remain.
US officials are reportedly demanding a 60-day deadline for down-blending Iran’s enriched uranium, while Tehran is insisting on a 90-day timeline, creating a major obstacle to any breakthrough.
Although negotiations are believed to be in advanced stages, officials have cautioned that a final agreement remains uncertain.
Trump on Meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader
Trump also addressed the possibility of direct diplomacy with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power after the death of his father in a reported US-Israeli strike.
While Trump said he is not actively seeking a face-to-face meeting, he did not completely rule one out if diplomatic progress continues.
“If it happened … I’d be respectful,” Trump said.
In a striking remark, the US president added that despite the history between both sides, Khamenei “has a very good reputation” in certain circles.
Middle East Conflict Nears 100-Day Mark
The broader regional crisis has now entered its fourth month, moving closer to the 100-day mark. The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran.
Iran later retaliated by tightening pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint responsible for nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply, triggering major disruptions in global energy markets and renewed geopolitical concerns.
As diplomacy continues alongside military posturing, Iran’s uranium stockpile remains one of the biggest sticking points in negotiations — raising questions about whether diplomacy or force will ultimately shape the next phase of US-Iran relations.