Trump considering operation to extract uranium from Iran - report

US President Donald Trump is thinking about a military mission to take 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. This mission "would likely involve American forces being in Iran for days or even longer," as stated by anonymous security officials. Although Trump has not made a final choice, he is "generally open to the idea," as the officials noted. This operation could help him achieve his main goal of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The BBC has contacted the White House and the Pentagon for their input. The New York Times mentions that troops sent to the area "could be part of a mission targeting Iran’s highly enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site," but they might also be used to take control of Kharg Island or secure the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that Trump was "clearly thinking about" a plan to "seize and destroy near-bomb-grade nuclear material believed to be mostly hidden deep under a mountain in Isfahan." Both news outlets highlight that this operation would be complex and carry significant risks.