Ammon News - The U.S. and Israel have discussed sending special forces into Iran to secure its stockpile of highly enriched uranium at a later stage of the war, four sources with knowledge of the discussions confirmed to Axios.

Preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon is one of President Trump's stated war objectives. The regime's 450 kilograms of 60%-enriched uranium — convertible to weapons grade within weeks — is one key to that goal.

It remains unclear whether it would be an American, Israeli or joint mission.

At a congressional briefing Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked whether Iran's enriched uranium would be secured. "People are going to have to go and get it," he said, without specifying who.

An Israeli defense official said Trump and his team are seriously considering sending special operations units into Iran for specific missions.

A U.S. official said the administration has discussed two options: removing the material from Iran entirely, or bringing in nuclear experts to dilute it on-site.

Two sources with knowledge of the issue said such operations were part of a menu of options presented to Trump before the war.

NBC News reported on Friday that Trump has discussed the idea of deploying a small contingent of U.S. troops in Iran for specific strategic purposes.