Axios quoted many sources familiar with the discussions as saying that the US and Israel had discussed the possibility of deploying special forces deep into Iranian territory to seize Tehran's high-enriched uranium stockpile in the later stages of the war.
This plan is seen as part of the strategic goal that President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized: To prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.
According to US officials, Iran currently possesses about 450kg of 60% enriched uranium. This amount of material could be upgraded to weapons level (90%) in just a few weeks if the enrichment process continues.
Experts believe that if all of this uranium reaches weapon-grade purity, it could be enough material for about 11 nuclear bombs.
This is the reason why Washington and Tel Aviv consider controlling or neutralizing Iran's uranium stockpile as a top priority in the military campaign.
If the plan is implemented, the operation is likely to require US or Israeli soldiers to directly set foot on Iranian territory to access solidly reinforced underground nuclear facilities.
It is not yet clear whether this task will be undertaken by US, Israeli forces or a joint operation.
A US official said two options are being considered: to remove all uranium from Iran or send nuclear experts to treat it on the spot, dilute the material so that it cannot be used for weapons.
This task may require coordination between special forces and scientists, and may even involve experts from the International Energy Agency IAEA.
However, the difficult problem is where is uranium?
A US official admitted that the biggest challenge of the campaign is to accurately locate the uranium stockpile.
The first question is where it is. The second question is how to access and control that material," the official said.
According to US and Israeli sources, most of Iran's uranium depots are currently located in underground tunnels at nuclear facilities in Isfahan, the rest is distributed between facilities in Fordow and Natanz.
In the early days of the war, the US and Israel attacked these facilities, likely to blockade the entrance to the tunnel to prevent Iran from moving nuclear materials.
Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump said that the possibility of deploying troops on land is not ruled out, but only occurs if there is "very legitimate reason".
Mr. Trump also said that Iran's control of nuclear materials could be considered in the later stages of the campaign. "Maybe at some point we will do it. It's not the time yet," he said.
However, some US officials affirmed that the options being discussed are not a large-scale landing like the military operations that have taken place in Iraq.
In addition to the nuclear issue, US officials also discussed the possibility of controlling Kharg Island - Iran's strategic oil port.
This is where about 90% of Iran's crude oil exports are processed, so if it is controlled, it could seriously damage Tehran's key source of revenue.
