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INTERNATIONAL27 March 2026
Trump's Nuclear Fuel Extraction Plan: A Military Nightmare
Military experts warn that Trump's proposed ground operation to seize Iran's nuclear fuel would be an extraordinarily dangerous mission with high risks of failure and potential for regional escalation.
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La Rédaction
The Vertex
5 min read

Source: www.wired.com
The prospect of a U.S. ground operation to seize Iran's nuclear fuel represents one of the most dangerous military scenarios in recent history. Military experts warn that such an operation would require thousands of troops penetrating deep into hostile territory, facing not just conventional defenses but potentially nuclear materials in transit.
Iran's nuclear facilities are scattered across the country, many buried deep underground or near population centers. Extracting enriched uranium or other nuclear materials would demand specialized teams working under extreme conditions, with the constant risk of radiation exposure and potential sabotage.
Beyond the immediate tactical challenges, the operation would likely trigger a broader regional conflict. Iran could retaliate through its network of proxies across the Middle East, potentially targeting U.S. bases, oil infrastructure, or shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz. The economic consequences alone could be devastating, with oil prices potentially spiking and global markets destabilizing.
Perhaps most concerning is the intelligence challenge. U.S. forces would need precise, real-time information about nuclear material locations, security systems, and Iranian military movements. Any gaps in intelligence could prove catastrophic, turning what might seem like a surgical strike into a protracted ground war.
The fundamental question remains: what would such an operation actually achieve? Even if successful, it might only delay Iran's nuclear program while radicalizing the regime and destroying any remaining diplomatic channels. History suggests that military interventions rarely produce the clean, decisive outcomes their proponents promise.