Iran hides enriched uranium as U.S. weighed covert seizure plan, CNN says

Iran has stepped up efforts to seal off its enriched uranium stockpile by deliberately collapsing tunnels and mining the entrances, CNN reported. The move would make any attempt to reach the hundreds of kilograms of material far slower, more dangerous and dependent on heavy digging equipment and demining efforts.

According to the report, Iranian officials could now claim they cannot access the uranium or that it has been destroyed, while still retaining control over a significant share of the stockpile. U.S. officials believe most of the uranium is buried in collapsed tunnels at the nuclear complex in Isfahan in central Iran, and that Iran has further fortified the sites where its enriched uranium is stored.

CNN also said the U.S. military planned a secret operation to seize the enriched uranium. The plan was so sensitive that senior officers, including Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, abruptly left meetings with NATO officials in Europe last month and rushed to CENTCOM headquarters in Florida.

President Donald Trump ultimately shelved the idea, according to the report, because of concerns over its impact on global markets, the risk of a much broader Iranian response, and the possibility of many casualties. The uranium is said to be spread across several nuclear facilities, mainly at Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow, and buried deep inside tunnels. Satellite images released last month also showed suspicious activity near the secret site at Mount Pikaks, and by April 22 the eastern tunnel entrances there appeared to have been blocked with special earth intended to prevent vehicle access.