Iran has significantly enhanced the security around its stockpile of near bomb-grade uranium in recent weeks, employing tactics such as collapsing access tunnels and laying explosive mines at key nuclear sites, particularly the Isfahan complex. This escalation, reportedly occurring after public statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential seizure, makes accessing the estimated half-tonne of highly enriched uranium substantially more difficult. Intelligence sources suggest these fortifications aim to deter any forceful retrieval and complicate ongoing nuclear program negotiations between Washington and Tehran, where a deal for the uranium's transfer and neutralization is reportedly nearing, though terms remain unclear. Experts warn these measures present formidable technical and safety challenges for any extraction operation.