Exclusive: Iran sealed uranium cache and placed mines amid fears of US operation to seize material

Exclusive: Iran Sealed Uranium Cache and Planted Mines as US Threatened Seizure

Exclusive – Recent intelligence reports reveal that Iran has intensified its efforts to secure a substantial stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium, implementing measures such as tunnel collapses and mine placements to hinder potential US military access, according to five individuals with access to American intelligence data. These actions have significantly complicated the retrieval of the material, which is estimated at approximately half a ton, making it more arduous, hazardous, and time-intensive compared to just a month ago. At that time, President Donald Trump was openly indicating that he might deploy US forces to capture the uranium, according to the sources.

Fortifications and Strategic Implications

Iran’s recent fortifications add a new layer of difficulty to the Trump administration’s proposed agreement with Tehran, which aims to remove and dismantle the uranium stockpile. The actions taken by Iran now pose questions about who will bear the responsibility of excavating the material under such perilous conditions. While Iran’s UN delegation has not yet responded to CNN’s request for comment, the White House has also delayed providing clarification on the matter. This delay has left the details of the deal shrouded in uncertainty, despite the ongoing negotiations to end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked.

“If this reporting is true, it would definitely complicate … retriev[ing] the HEU,” said Scott Roecker, who led the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Nuclear Material Removal from 2017 to 2021. He warned that Iran could use these measures to obscure its compliance efforts, potentially claiming that parts of the stockpile were inaccessible or irretrievable.

The international community is now convinced that the majority of the uranium stockpile is stored in collapsed tunnels at the Isfahan nuclear complex in central Iran, with smaller quantities kept at other locations. This belief was reinforced after the military was initially prepared to execute a seizure operation in mid-May, which was later halted due to concerns over its risk level, CNN previously reported. Since then, Iran has continued to reinforce these sites, creating a more formidable defense against any attempt to retrieve the material.

Trump’s Role in the Tension

President Trump has consistently emphasized the urgency of securing the uranium, positioning it as a critical objective in the current negotiations. During a May appearance on Fox News, he expressed skepticism about Iran’s ability to recover the material without being detected by US intelligence. “We know exactly what’s happening,” Trump told host Sean Hannity, adding that no one had yet come close to accessing the site.

However, by publicly discussing the uranium as a potential target, two of the sources noted, Trump may have inadvertently motivated Iran to strengthen its defenses. This dynamic suggests a delicate balance between US pressure and Iranian countermeasures, with the latter now having the upper hand in terms of physical security. The situation has also raised concerns about the reliability of the proposed deal, as both sides continue to present conflicting narratives on its terms.

Technical Challenges and Future Steps

According to a senior administration official who briefed reporters on Friday, the deal would require Iran to hand over its enriched uranium to the US for destruction and subsequent export. This process would likely involve the deployment of a specialized mobile uranium facility managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. CNN has reported that top US negotiators, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, visited the lab earlier this month to assess its capabilities.

Despite these preparations, experts agree that the removal process remains technically demanding. Heavy excavation equipment and de-mining operations would be necessary to extract the uranium from the fortified tunnels, tasks that are both complex and perilous. “In this scenario, I would worry that Iran could claim some portion of the HEU was irretrievable,” Roecker said, highlighting the potential for Tehran to manipulate the terms of compliance to its advantage.

“We wouldn’t have full confidence that Iran couldn’t retain access to it at some point in the future,” Roecker added, underscoring the risk of the material being hidden or diverted once the agreement is finalized. This uncertainty has sparked debate among analysts about the long-term implications of the deal and whether it will effectively address the strategic concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.

As the negotiations progress, the focus has shifted to refining the technical specifics of the uranium removal. While the deal’s framework has been outlined, the exact conditions for its implementation—such as verification protocols and timelines—remain under discussion. This phase of the talks is expected to involve further technical negotiations, with both sides working to align their objectives.

The situation also reflects broader geopolitical tensions, as Iran’s actions are seen as a response to the US’s aggressive posture. By sealing its uranium cache and deploying mines, Tehran has demonstrated its resolve to protect its nuclear assets, even as the Trump administration presses for swift action. This has created a scenario where the material’s fate is now tied to the success of both diplomatic and logistical efforts, with time running out for a resolution.

With the agreement potentially signed in the coming weeks, the next steps will depend on Iran’s ability to cooperate with the US while maintaining its defensive capabilities. The strategic importance of the uranium stockpile cannot be overstated, as its removal could significantly impact Iran’s nuclear arsenal and its leverage in the ongoing conflict. As the world watches, the question remains: will the US be able to secure the material without triggering further Iranian resistance or complications in the delicate negotiations?