Why removing Iran’s uranium could be the toughest nuclear operation ever

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, former officials and nuclear experts say the operation could end up being “the most complex uranium removal operation in history.”

The problem is not just political. It is logistical, technical and, in parts, unpredictable.

BOMBED SITES, BURIED ACCESS

A large share of Iran’s uranium is believed to be stored at facilities like Isfahan and Natanz. Both have been hit by US and Israeli strikes in recent months.

That damage has made access difficult. Tunnel entrances have been reinforced or buried, and international inspectors have not visited some of these sites for months.

In simple terms, the material may not just be hard to move. It may be hard to even reach.

HANDLING RISKS AND UNKNOWNS

There is also the question of uranium itself. Much of it is stored in gaseous form inside heavy cylinders. Experts say teams would first need to check whether those containers are intact. If they are damaged, the risks go up sharply.

Specialised equipment, including remote-operated tools and robots, may be needed to assess and recover the material safely. Even in stable conditions, such operations take weeks. In a damaged, post-strike environment, timelines become uncertain.

MOVING IT OUT WON’T BE EASY

Transporting nuclear material is a sensitive task even in peacetime. Doing it from a conflict-hit region adds another layer of risk.

Past US missions, including the removal of weapons-grade uranium from Kazakhstan in the 1990s, were carried out in controlled settings. Iran presents a far more complicated picture.

Security, airlift logistics and the need to avoid exposure or interception would all have to be factored in.

Then comes the political question: where will the uranium be sent?

Iran has objected to sending it to the United States. Alternatives being discussed include Russia or facilities in Kazakhstan, where the material could be diluted and stored under international oversight.

None of these options are simple. Each comes with diplomatic baggage.

Even if a transfer is agreed, verification will be critical. US officials are wary that some material could be hidden or declared destroyed. Any deal would likely require intrusive inspections, including environmental checks to confirm whether uranium has been moved or remains in place.

While negotiations may focus on securing Iran’s agreement to give up its enriched uranium, the WSJ report makes clear that implementation would be far more complicated. In short, even if a deal is reached, the hardest part may still lie ahead.

– Ends

Tune In