The U.S. military faces one of the most perilous missions in its history: seizing or destroying Iran's nuclear stockpile. Despite recent strikes that degraded Iran's nuclear infrastructure, the country still holds about 972 pounds of 60% enriched uranium, close to weapons-grade levels.
U.S. Special Forces have trained extensively for such an operation, but experts warn it would be more complex than any prior mission. The operation would require securing multiple sites, breaching fortified tunnels, and dealing with potential booby traps, radiation exposure, and hostile forces.
A successful mission could set back Iran's nuclear program significantly, but failure could lead to another costly military disaster like Eagle Claw or Black Hawk Down. With no diplomatic solution in sight, the U.S. may face a high-stakes decision in the coming months.