As negotiations between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked, the Pentagon is reportedly preparing a swift military campaign to pressure Tehran back to the bargaining table. One potential target? Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium.
The idea may sound drastic, but it has precedent. In 1994, under a covert operation known as Project Sapphire, the U.S. secretly removed 600 kilograms of enriched uranium from Kazakhstan — enough to make multiple nuclear bombs — to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands after the Soviet collapse.
"The United States has a history of taking direct action to secure dangerous nuclear materials when diplomacy stalls," notes a security analyst.
Today, with Iran enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels, some experts believe a similar play could be in the cards. The Pentagon has not confirmed specifics, but defense officials have hinted at "short, sharp" options to change the calculus in Tehran.
Critics warn that any seizure attempt would risk escalation, potentially triggering a broader conflict. Others argue it may be the only way to ensure Iran's nuclear program remains peaceful.
As talks falter, the world watches to see whether history repeats itself.