Bombs not likely to be the answer to Iran’s nuclear ambitions

One of the primary reasons for launching (pick one: (A) a war, (B) a short-term excursion, (C) a special military operation) in Iran is to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program and capability to build a nuclear weapon.

Critics like to point out that President Trump, whose first option is almost always bombastic rhetoric, stated in June 2025 that American and Israeli strikes at key Iranian nuclear sites — Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan — had “obliterated” the Iranian nuclear program. More sober analysis found that the program had been significantly set back, but there was evidence that Iran immediately sought to begin rebuilding.

However, there remains the issue of 440 kg (970 lbs.) of highly enriched uranium (HEU) enriched to a level of 60%. Before International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors withdrew in July 2025, they confirmed its existence. The HEU was stored in tanks that resemble scuba tanks with about 55 lbs. in each one. The question is, where is it?

Some believe it is deep in a tunnel complex at Isfahan. Some might have been stored in Fordow. Either it is buried under rubble after multiple attacks and inaccessible, or it is accessible. Or it was moved prior to the June attacks and could be scattered all over Iran.

Media often report that at 60%, the HEU falls short of weapons grade, generally regarded as 90% and it would take perhaps weeks, or less, to bring it up to weapons grade. But that is not true. The HEU in the Hiroshima bomb was enriched to 80%.

A crude weapon could be constructed using HEU at 60%. As Illinois Congressman Bill Foster said after emerging from a classified briefing a week ago: Iran does “not need to enrich further to make a usable nuclear weapon. It’s true that what they have can’t be launched atop a missile, but unfortunately there’s different ways to deliver such a weapon.”

So, how can this material be secured? First, how much certainty do we have as to its location? Both American and Israeli intelligence have demonstrated time and again that they have penetrated even the highest levels of the Iranian government and exile groups have their own sources. But even if we thought we were sure as to the location could we be sure that bombs could destroy it?

Apparently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio does not think so. He reportedly told a Congressional panel that “people are going to have to go and get it.” Who, exactly?

Multiple media reports quote both Israeli and Trump administration officials saying that there are discussions about sending in a special operations unit into Iran that would include nuclear experts. Israeli units have apparently trained for such a mission for a decade. A U.S. official claimed two options were being discussed — removing the HEU or down-blending it on site, which would involve flying in special equipment from the Oak Ridge National Lab.

Many will argue that had the first Trump administration not rashly withdrawn from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated during the Obama administration, we would not be here. That is not clear. Even with IAEA inspectors on the ground, Iran violated the agreement and carried out secret work.

That said, bombs can’t destroy the know-how to create weapons. If the ascendant hard-liners in Tehran want to be bloody-minded, they can try to keep building a weapon. However, it is also true that the souk never closes in the Middle East. No matter how duplicitous the former Iranian regime or how mercurial the Americans, negotiations remain an option, but an Iranian nuclear weapon remains unacceptable.

Thus, the president now faces a fateful decision. “Boots on the ground” or back to the table?

• Keith Peterson, of Lake Barrington, served 29 years as a press and cultural officer for the United States Information Agency and Department of State. He was chief editorial writer of the Daily Herald 1984-86. His book “American Dreams: The Story of the Cyprus Fulbright Commission” is available from Amazon.com.