Trump Nixed Iran Ground Op to Seize Nuclear Material: Report

US military leaders were secretly briefed on a plan to send ground forces into Iran to seize enriched uranium. President Donald Trump halted the high-risk operation after senior advisers described the likely Iranian response: missile strikes on US bases in the region, attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure, and a wave of proxy raids against American forces in Iraq and Syria. Casualty estimates were described as high, the report said.

Top General Dan Caine cut short a NATO meeting to receive the classified briefings. The operation would have required ground troops to enter Iranian territory and secure uranium stockpiles, a move military planners warned could trigger a broad regional conflict.

Discussions about seizing the enriched uranium have continued despite parallel diplomatic efforts aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program, the report said. Iran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels in recent years, according to international inspectors.

The revelation adds uncertainty around oil supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes, sits off Iran's coast. Any military confrontation risks disrupting tanker traffic there. Iran has threatened to close the strait in past standoffs.

Defense stocks have seen little direct reaction to the report. Some traders noted the continued threat of escalation keeps a floor under oil prices. Brent crude traded near $73 a barrel Tuesday, up 0.5% on the session.

The report comes as the International Atomic Energy Agency warned Iran has enough enriched uranium to produce several nuclear weapons if it chose to weaponize. Tehran insists its program is peaceful.