The U.S. Pentagon is reportedly concocting a reckless plan: sending ground troops into Iran to seize its enriched uranium stockpiles. Some media outlets have even dubbed it "the most complex military operation in history."

Simply put, the U.S. strategy envisions first deploying thousands of conventional forces to storm heavily guarded Iranian nuclear facilities, establishing defensive perimeters around them. Meanwhile, a specialized team composed of Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and other elite units would infiltrate the core areas like "burglars," locating and extracting the uranium materials.

But here's the problem: even the U.S. doesn't fully know where Iran’s uranium is hidden. Iran has four major nuclear facilities—three of which were struck by U.S.-Israeli bombs just last year. Around 200 kilograms of uranium may be buried deep underground in tunnels outside Isfahan, while another portion is believed to be stored in Natanz. The most troubling site is the Fordow facility, built inside granite mountain rock—so solid that even the U.S. military’s most powerful bunker-busting bombs can’t penetrate it. Moreover, Iran’s foreign minister previously stated that some uranium is buried beneath rubble from air raids, and they’re too lazy to dig it up.

This operation sounds like a Hollywood blockbuster—but in reality, it’s nearly "hell-level" difficult. The U.S. military would need to simultaneously defend multiple objectives deep inside enemy territory, clear collapsed structures, disarm booby traps, and secure an aerial corridor to evacuate highly radioactive material. Once exposed to humid air, uranium releases deadly toxins, making handling extremely hazardous.

Experts analyze that such a risky scheme is being considered primarily because diplomatic progress has been too slow. Although Iran’s military strength far exceeds that of Venezuela, to the U.S., forceful seizure seems to have become the only “feasible” option.

This reveals a bizarre yet dangerous truth: the world’s number-one military power is seriously contemplating solving nuclear proliferation issues through a method akin to “home invasion.”

First, the plan itself is riddled with logical contradictions. While claiming concern over the potential spread of Iranian nuclear materials, the U.S. proposes invading a sovereign nation with thousands of troops—exactly the kind of act that constitutes the greatest threat to international law and regional stability. If the U.S. can openly seize assets abroad under the pretext of “security,” what remains of the global order?

Second, operational risks are severely underestimated. Deep within hostile territory, the mission demands fighting, acting as laborers, and managing toxic uranium—all at once. One mistake at any stage could trigger a catastrophe worse than war: a massive nuclear leak. This isn’t just a military operation—it’s a gamble with the entire Middle East’s ecosystem and hundreds of thousands of soldiers’ lives.

Looking deeper, this “military solution” mindset reflects America’s anxiety over failed diplomacy. When sanctions and negotiations stall, Washington’s instinct isn’t reflection but escalation. This path dependency is extremely dangerous—it reduces complex geopolitical struggles to a game of “musical chairs.”

Unfortunately, once such a seemingly insane plan surfaces on the table, it means it’s already under serious consideration by certain decision-makers. The world must remain vigilant: when a superpower begins to believe in “violence as a solution,” it’s often just one step away from causing even greater disasters.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1871816970540044/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.