Name: Prospects for boots on the ground to seize Irans enriched uranium
Uploaded: 2026-03-22T15:23:14.323Z
Duration: 3 min 15 s
Description: As the war with Iran enters its fourth week, much of its stockpile of enriched uranium is believed to lie buried deep inside the Isfahan Mountain complex. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin talks with physicist David Albright about the risks of seizing that near-weapon grade material.

As the war with Iran enters its fourth week, much of its stockpile of enriched uranium is believed to lie buried deep inside the Isfahan Mountain complex. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin talks with physicist David Albright about the risks of seizing that near-weapon grade material.

Isfahan

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Middle East Conflict

The United States and Israel have launched military strikes across Iran after failed nuclear talks. In response, Tehran has launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli and U.S.-linked positions across the Gulf region.

Iran Strikes

A CBS News investigation details the ongoing difficulties in neutralizing Iran's nuclear program, despite extensive airstrikes during an active conflict. Experts, including physicist David Albright, confirm that Iran retains a significant stockpile of enriched uranium—much of it stored deep within the Esfahan Mountain Complex, making it resistant to air attacks.

The report notes that fully destroying or seizing these materials would likely require a large-scale and risky ground operation by U.S. or Israeli forces. While Iran would still need centrifuges and additional time to produce a weapon, analysts warn that the threat from Iran's nuclear capabilities remains, with the potential for a nuclear device to be developed within six months.

Prospects for 'boots on the ground' to seize Iran's enriched uranium

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President Trump addressed the nation about the Iran war Wednesday night, saying that the U.S. would complete its mission there "very shortly." He also sought to assure Americans that the conflict with Iran would be brief compared to other wars in U.S. history and insisted that gas prices would go down quickly.

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Ukraine Invasion

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U.S. President Donald Trump says operations in the Middle East will end in 2 to 3 weeks, but the administration wouldn't confirm if it's planning a ground invasion. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the U.S. prefers a peace deal, adding, 'In the meantime we'll negotiate with bombs.'

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U.S. President Donald Trump has told aides that he is willing to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.

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A Tehran resident told CBS News many people have given up hope that the war will help topple the regime, adding that it is "ready at any cost" to stay in power. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed threats to strike Iran's power plants.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said more than half of his military aims had been achieved, but both leaders refused to put a timeline on an operation that has ignited a month-long regional war and jolted global markets.

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Media reports suggest the Pentagon is preparing for possible ground operations in Iran, though the White House says no decision has been made. The prospect of U.S. troops on the ground has sparked concern about the potential for a risky new phase in the conflict.

Prospects for 'boots on the ground' to seize Iran's enriched uranium

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Middle East Conflict

Iran Strikes