President Donald Trump said on Monday that he was "nowhere near" deciding whether to send U.S. troops into Iran to secure the stockpile of highly enriched uranium there.
"We haven’t made any decision on that. We’re nowhere near it,” Trump told the New York Post when asked about reported discussions between Israel and the United States on possibly deploying special forces to Iran to seize and secure the material.
A longstanding dispute over Iran's nuclear program escalated into military conflict ten days ago, with the U.S. and Israel launching strikes against Iran and Iran responding with attacks across the Middle East.
Without providing evidence, Trump said last month that Tehran was beginning to rebuild the nuclear program that he claimed had been “obliterated” by U.S. strikes in June last year.
Iran denies seeking a nuclear arsenal, saying its enrichment of uranium – a process that produces fuel for power plants and nuclear warheads depending on its duration – is strictly for civilian use.
Nine days after disaster, two pulled alive from Nepal hydropower tunnel
Wildfires spread near Indonesia's new capital, prompting calls for action
Philippine court issues warrant for VP Duterte's arrest in grave threats case
Air India A320 issued stall warning when seatbelt signs off, injuring 24, investigators say
Typhoon Saudel brings torrential rain, flooding to China's coastal areas
US investigates deadly strike on Iranian wedding
India food safety crackdown targets company of Nepal's 'Noodle King'
Nepal flood losses estimated at $2.56 billion, official says
