“An attempt by the US to put boots on the ground in a bid to secure Iran's uranium stockpile would be a 'complex, risky and lengthy operation,' laden with radiation and chemical risks, according to experts, analysts and former government officials in Washington.”

“That level of uranium purity is a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%, needed to create nuclear bombs, according to the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).”

“The IAEA says Iran’s stockpile could allow it to build as many as 10 nuclear bombs should the country decide to weaponise its programme.”

“Iran has long insisted that its nuclear facilities are entirely peaceful and civilian-purposed and stressed repeatedly that they have no plans to acquire nuclear weapons.”

“Tehran has claimed its stockpiles remain buried under piles of rubble in its nuclear facilities, which were bombed by the US last year. In June, Trump announced that the US had carried out a precise operation targeting the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan sites, using deep penetrating GBU-57 'bunker-buster' bombs.”

“IAEA inspectors have not been able to verify the near weapons-grade uranium since June 2025. The lack of inspections has made it difficult to know exactly where it is located.”

“IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said the agency believes a stockpile of roughly 200 kilograms of uranium is stored in tunnels at the nuclear complex outside of Isfahan.”