U.S. contingency to seize or secure Iran HEU was still being planned

U.S. military and White House-connected reporting said officials had contingency plans for U.S. forces and Department of Energy teams to secure or retrieve Iran’s highly enriched uranium, and sources said these plans were discussed on a high-risk mission basis even as the White House put the operation on pause.

Why this matters. If talks stall, a seizure/securement option remains on the table, which would materially raise the stakes for retaliation, force posture, and the wider escalation risk to shipping and regional energy lanes.