U.S. Reviewed Ground Mission Into Iran To Recover Enriched Uranium, Chose Not To Proceed

The United States prepared a ground operation inside Iran aimed at recovering the country's enriched uranium, then paused the mission before any forces deployed. CNN reported the development on Friday, citing multiple U.S. officials familiar with the planning. The network said military units had begun rapid preparations for the mission before the order to stand down arrived.

Preparation included assembling specialized units and logistics support for an incursion, according to the same CNN account. Officials described the effort as a contingency option tied to concerns over Iran's nuclear material. No timeline for resuming or canceling the option was provided.

Both outlets attributed the information to unnamed U.S. sources. No independent confirmation from Iranian authorities or additional U.S. agencies appeared in the coverage.