The idea now under discussion is not a broad invasion of Iran, but a far more limited scenario: a U.S. or joint U.S.-Israeli special-forces mission to physically secure the Iranian regime’s enriched uranium before it can be recovered, moved or pushed toward weapons grade. Axios reported that Washington and Jerusalem have discussed such an option as part of a wider menu of war plans.

The IAEA says Iran had accumulated 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% before the strikes, and the agency calls that a proliferation concern because it is only a short technical step from weapons grade. Reuters, citing the IAEA report, said that amount would be enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if enriched further.

Much of the stockpile is believed to be tied to underground sites around Isfahan, with additional material linked to Fordow and Natanz, and U.S.-Israeli strikes appear to have focused in part on sealing entrances and limiting any effort to move it. The administration has discussed either removing the material from Iran entirely or bringing in nuclear experts to dilute it on site.

Trump has not committed to such a move, but he is clearly leaving the door open. Asked whether U.S. ground troops could be sent in to secure Iran’s nuclear material, he said it was “possible” and suggested it could come later rather than now. That matters because the war’s next phase may not be about more airstrikes alone, but about who physically controls the regime’s most dangerous surviving asset.