US Prepared Ground Mission to Seize Iran's Uranium, Trump Paused It: Report

In a report that emerged on June 12, 2026, it was revealed that the United States military had developed extensive plans for a ground operation to forcibly seize Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. This critical material, a key component for nuclear weapons, was reportedly stored in heavily fortified underground facilities across Iran, including at the Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow complexes [3, 4, 5, 8, 24, 27]. The urgency of these preparations was underscored by a secret transatlantic journey undertaken by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine. He reportedly cut short a NATO meeting in Brussels on May 19 to fly to the U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida, to receive in-person briefings on the proposed mission [3, 4, 5, 7, 8]. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the operation was assessed as carrying a "High to Extreme" risk level. This assessment was due to the significant challenges involved in penetrating Iran's fortified nuclear sites and tunnels, the potential for severe Iranian retaliation, and the likelihood of substantial U.S. casualties [3, 4, 8, 24, 27]. Military planners also warned of the potential for prolonged conflict and catastrophic disruptions to the global economy if such an operation were launched [3, 4, 7, 8, 24, 27]. Following these high-level briefings, General Caine presented the operational options to President Donald Trump. President Trump ultimately decided to pause the plan. His decision was influenced by the warnings from his advisors regarding the severe risks associated with the operation, including the potential for heavy American losses and a significant escalation of hostilities [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 24]. Despite halting the immediate ground mission, the option to seize Iran's enriched uranium reportedly remained under consideration as a key U.S. objective [3, 24]. These detailed military preparations unfolded even as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran were reportedly nearing a breakthrough [3, 11, 17, 18, 23, 27, 40]. President Trump had repeatedly indicated that a deal was imminent, with reports suggesting an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and finalizing talks on Iran's nuclear program was close [3, 11, 14, 17, 18, 22, 23, 37, 40]. The emerging deal framework included provisions for Iran to neither produce nor acquire nuclear weapons, dilute its enriched uranium stockpile, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets [11, 12, 19, 21, 26]. However, behind the diplomatic optimism, Iran had reportedly taken steps to fortify its uranium sites, including collapsing tunnels and using explosive mines to deter access. These measures have made any potential future retrieval of the nuclear material significantly more difficult [39]. Furthermore, there were differing accounts regarding the finalization of the peace deal, with some Iranian officials expressing caution and suggesting that a final decision had not yet been made, contrary to the public pronouncements from the US and Pakistani mediators [11, 17, 22, 40]. The original article from The Times of India, while reporting on these developments, accurately reflects the core claims made in the CNN report and other related news. The headline is not sensationalized, as it directly reflects the central news of the US military preparing a ground mission and President Trump's decision to halt it. The news is primarily specific to the United States and Iran but has global implications due to the potential impact on the international economy and regional stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest