Former defense minister Gallant says option exists to physically extract enriched uranium from Iran

Gallant states the mission carries dangers yet remains essential to counter an existential threat.

ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

JUNE 8, 2026 09:28

Updated: JUNE 8, 2026 11:43

There is an option to physically extract Iran's enriched uranium from the country, former defense minister Yoav Gallant told Army Radio in a Monday morning interview, following a renewed wave of missile attacks from Iran.

According to Gallant, such an operation would be dangerous, but worth paying the price to avoid an existential risk. He added that he never sent people on more dangerous operations than what he did himself.

Gallant also called out Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his display of weakness in the last month, claiming that Israel is now paying a heavy price for it.

Netanyahu is bringing back the equation perception, he said.

Iran's enriched uranium has been a point of contention in the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Military op. to forcibly remove enriched uranium would take at least two weeks, Trump says

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington did not need a deal with Iran to get enriched uranium from the country and that the US could get it right now. He added that he does not think they could stop the United States if it wanted, but there is no reason to since it is entombed.

According to the president, a military operation to forcibly remove Iran's enriched uranium supplies would take at least two weeks.

Getting there to Iran is not like Venezuela. You have to be there for two weeks. You need a lot of equipment, Trump said.

Reuters contributed to this report.