US Threatens Iran With Military Action Over Uranium Stockpile: ‘Any Means Necessary’

The Trump administration is doubling down on its aggressive posture toward Iran’s nuclear program, issuing an ultimatum that Tehran must relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile or face direct US military intervention. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made the threat clear on Wednesday, stating the US will secure the nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium “by any means necessary.”

This uranium, enriched to about 60 percent and believed to be stored in heavily fortified underground sites in Isfahan and Natanz, represents a critical step toward nuclear weapons capability if further enriched to 90 percent. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms Iran’s possession of this material prior to last year’s US-Israeli airstrikes, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Hegseth did not rule out repeating such strikes or even deploying Special Operations troops to physically seize the uranium. “We’ll get it. We’ll take it, we’ll take it out,” he told reporters, underscoring the administration’s commitment to President Trump’s goal of preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this hardline stance, calling Iran’s uranium stockpile a “red line” for the president. While the administration claims a preference for diplomacy, the message is unmistakable: failure to comply could trigger military action.

President Trump himself weighed in via Truth Social, suggesting cooperation with Iran to “dig up and remove” the uranium buried under rubble from last year’s strikes. Yet experts warn that the uranium remains a potent threat, capable of fueling multiple nuclear weapons if enriched further.

This ultimatum comes amid a fragile two-week cease-fire deal between the US and Iran, which notably does not address the uranium stockpile. The administration’s insistence on seizing the material signals a readiness to escalate tensions, risking a return to open conflict in the region.

The Trump administration’s approach reveals a pattern of brinkmanship and disregard for diplomatic norms, prioritizing military solutions over negotiated settlements. The stakes could not be higher: failure to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions risks destabilizing the Middle East and undermining global nonproliferation efforts.

As the next round of talks looms, the world watches to see whether diplomacy can prevail or if the US will once again resort to force in pursuit of its strategic objectives.