In a dramatic escalation of the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, President Donald Trump is seriously considering deploying elite U.S. Special Operations forces, including Delta Force, to infiltrate fortified tunnels beneath the Esfahan nuclear facility.

The mission, a “counter-WMD” operation developed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in coordination with Israeli partners, aims to extract Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium (HEU) that survived recent airstrikes.

This fissile material is enriched to near-weapons-grade levels, reportedly enough for multiple nuclear devices, posing a significant global threat.

Sources familiar with the ongoing deliberations, speaking to Axios, Semafor, NBC News, and The New York Times, indicate that the proposed operation would involve a high-risk ground incursion into deeply buried complexes at Esfahan.

Satellite imagery has revealed recent Iranian reinforcements specifically designed to thwart aerial attacks on these sites.

President Trump himself addressed the possibility aboard Air Force One, emphasizing that such a move would only occur “for a very good reason” and potentially “later,” highlighting the immense gravity of preventing Tehran from salvaging its nuclear program capabilities.

Adding another layer to the tense situation, contingency plans are advancing for additional U.S. troops, possibly Marines or other Special Forces units, to seize Kharg Island.

This island serves as Iran’s vital oil export hub, responsible for up to 90% of its crude shipments.

Proponents of this limited action, such as former Trump officials Keith Kellogg and Michael Rubin, argue that severing this economic lifeline could effectively strangle the regime’s revenue streams, thereby limiting its ability to fund proxies and internal repression without necessitating a full-scale invasion of the country.

These significant developments unfold as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets have intensified following previous operations in 2025.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concurrently issued warnings regarding “unaccounted” HEU, further underscoring the urgency and global threat posed by Iran's nuclear advancements.

While no final decisions have been formally announced, White House insiders describe these options as “active contingencies,” reflecting a delicate balance between diplomatic efforts and potentially decisive military action in response to Iran’s escalating nuclear ambitions.