US ground mission to capture Iran's uranium paused by Trump - report

The United States was reportedly in the advanced stages of planning a ground mission to recover Iran's enriched uranium, a clandestine operation that President Donald Trump ultimately decided to pause. The report, citing two sources familiar with the matter, indicates that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine briefed Trump on the mission.

Trump's decision to halt the operation came after warnings that such a mission could result in substantial U.S. casualties and potentially trigger a severe escalation of hostilities between the two nations. The sources suggested that the potential for significant retaliation from Iran was a key factor influencing Trump's choice.

CNN reported that Caine urgently traveled to brief Trump on May 19, indicating the mission was nearing approval before the President intervened. Beyond the immediate risks of the ground operation, the decision also considered the potential negative impact on the global economy.

Meanwhile, separate reporting from Reuters suggests an emerging deal between the U.S. and Iran that includes the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program. This potential agreement would also permit the U.S. to collect the country's enriched uranium, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lift U.S. blockades on Iranian ports. Iran would reportedly commit to never developing nuclear weapons under this deal, which a senior U.S. official described as a significant step forward.