Washington, March 30 (NationPress) Iran has issued a stern warning of retaliation should the United States initiate a ground invasion. This comes as President Donald Trump contemplates a high-stakes military initiative aimed at seizing Tehran's uranium. Concurrently, regional leaders are advocating for talks to diffuse tensions, as reported by US media sources.

The alert from Tehran arrives amidst indications of a potential escalation. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit has been deployed to the Middle East, while US military strategists are evaluating plans that could involve American troops on the ground for an extended period, according to The New York Times.

Central to ongoing discussions is a proposal under consideration by Trump to extract approximately 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran—an operation described by US officials as intricate and perilous. “Trump hasn’t yet decided whether to issue the command,” officials informed The Wall Street Journal, noting that the president is balancing the risks to US forces against the objective of thwarting Iran's nuclear ambitions.

If given the green light, this operation might see elite special forces securing nuclear facilities while contending with Iranian missile and drone attacks, and extracting radioactive materials from a hostile conflict zone, experts have indicated. “This is not a simple operation,” retired General Joseph Votel stated in an interview with the Journal.

In tandem with these military considerations, the Pentagon is gearing up for a more extensive ground campaign that could last several weeks. Such an endeavor would expose US troops to a variety of threats, including drones, missiles, and improvised explosive devices, as reported by The Washington Post.

Discussions have also touched on increasing troop levels, with the Pentagon reportedly “thinking about deploying an additional 10,000 ground troops” to the area to enhance operational capabilities, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

Despite the escalating military presence, diplomatic initiatives are also in motion. Recently, Pakistan facilitated talks involving foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, aiming to cease hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to The New York Times.

However, neither the United States nor Iran has participated in these negotiations, and there are few signs of immediate advancement.

As a consequence of the ongoing conflict, oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel amid fears of supply chain disruptions, particularly through the vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route.