Donald Trump is said to be considering a complex plan to deploy American special operatives in Iran in an attempt to seize nearly 500kg of uranium.
Reports suggest the President has not made a decision yet as he weighs up the risk, with the operation potentially lasting up to a week and putting troops inside dangerous territory.
The operation could target one or two nuclear plants in Natanz and Isfahan.
The objective of any mission, which US officials told the Wall Street Journal the White House is "seriously" considering, would be to remove the radioactive substance from Iran and eliminate any potential route to a nuclear weapon.
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As a condition to end the war, Mr Trump is said to be urging advisors to pressure Iran into completely surrendering its uranium stockpile.
The same advisors have warned him of the dangers to US lives, given the complexity of the operation and potential broader conflict, should he sign off on the proposed plan.
Retired Gen. Joseph Votel told the Wall Street Journal it is "not a quick in and out kind of deal".
The mission would likely involve flying over heavily guarded airspace, potentially facing fire from Iranian defences, before moving into and securing the nuclear sites.
Donald Trump is said to be considering a complex plan to deploy US special operations in Iran
|REUTERS
Natanz and Isfahan, which are said to house uranium in underground facilities, have already been targeted by US strikes.
Mr Trump also told reporters the US could attempt to seize Kharg Island, a small island off the coast of Iran, which is home to a major oil terminal.
The operation would cut off a major source of revenue for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affect Tehran's ability to fund the war.
Mr Trump told the Financial Times: "To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say, ‘Why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people.
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Uranium is used in the production of nuclear weapons
|GETTY
"Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the President has yet to make a decision on the offensive.
"It's the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander-in-chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the president has made a decision."
Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth insists Mr Trump is prioritising a diplomatic solution before considering taking anything by force.
The President is also considering taking the pivotal Kharg Island by force
|GETTY
"The president has kept his eye focused on nuclear capabilities," he said earlier this month.
"We have a range of options, up to and including Iran deciding that they will give those up, which of course we would welcome."
Around 50,000 US troops are currently stationed in the Middle East, some 10,000 more than usual.
Hundreds of US special forces arrived in the Middle East, according to the New York Times. These are yet to be assigned and could be deployed in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, taking Kharg Island or extracting uranium.
On Sunday, Mr Trump said a deal with Iran "could be soon" and confirmed 20 more oil tankers were set to pass through the Strait.
'We’re doing extremely well in that negotiation," he said. "But you never know with Iran, because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up.
"I think we’ll make a deal with them, but it’s possible that we won't. I do see a deal in Iran. It could be soon."
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