The ongoing Iran-U.S. conflict revolves around Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU), believed to be sufficient for producing up to 10 nuclear bombs. While U.S. and Israeli strikes have complicated verification efforts, historic missions like Project Sapphire in the 1990s demonstrate that high-stakes removal of nuclear material is possible through diplomacy and covert operations. In Kazakhstan, the U.S. successfully extracted over 1,300 pounds of bomb-grade uranium, safeguarded in secrecy and shipped to the U.S., setting a precedent for potential future operations against Iran's underground tunnels with deep underground storage.
Current concerns focus on Iran's extensive nuclear capabilities, including nearly 1,000 pounds of 60% enriched uranium and secret tunnels at sites like Isfahan and Pickaxe Mountain, which are difficult to target with conventional military strikes. Experts emphasize that removing Iran's HEU would require a combination of military force, international cooperation, and verification measures, but the risks involved are significant. With ongoing tensions and distrust, experts warn that Iran's nuclear progress remains a serious concern and that securing or removing its stockpile will be a complex, high-risk endeavor that may still be years away.