The United States airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have only set the country's programme back by months, not destroyed it, according to an early Pentagon intelligence review. This contradicts President Donald Trump’s claim that the strikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s key enrichment sites.
The assessment, prepared by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), was shared with Reuters and CNN by sources familiar with the matter, all speaking anonymously. It found that while damage was substantial at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—including stockpiled uranium and underground centrifuges—remained intact or had been relocated before the strikes.
“The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump said in a televised address.
DIA warns of Iran’s nuclear recovery
According to the DIA, Iran’s programme might be delayed only by one to three months. The agency also noted that Iran's highly enriched uranium—400kg of it at 60% purity—was likely shifted in advance and could now be at unknown sites.
Vice President JD Vance admitted, “We are going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel.”
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general Rafael Grossi said, “The IAEA can no longer account for Iran’s stockpile.”
Military Strikes: Big bombs, limited impact
The US mission included 12 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs dropped on Fordow and two more on Natanz by B-2 bombers. A US submarine also launched around 30 Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan. Despite this, much of the damage remained above ground.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine, said, “All three of the nuclear sites had sustained severe damage and destruction,” but added that it was “way too early” to determine whether Iran’s core nuclear capabilities were neutralised.
The Pentagon had already been briefed earlier this year that bunker busters might not fully destroy the heavily fortified Fordow, buried beneath 45 to 90 metres of bedrock.
Weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis concluded, “The ceasefire came without either Israel or the United States being able to destroy several key underground nuclear facilities.”
White House rejects report, stands by Trump
The White House dismissed the DIA assessment. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called it “flat-out wrong” and said, “Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.”
At a press conference, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump: “Based on everything we have seen—and I’ve seen it all—our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.”
Ceasefire brokered, but tempers flared
Following 12 days of war, both Israel and Iran signalled that the fighting had paused. President Trump brokered the ceasefire with help from Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Still, tensions ran high. Trump lashed out at both parties, saying, “They don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” He added, “I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now.”
Israel confirmed it hit a radar site near Tehran in retaliation for an alleged Iranian missile barrage after the ceasefire had begun. Iran denied violating the ceasefire and said Israeli attacks continued an hour and a half beyond the agreed time.
Civilians feel the cost, Markets react
In both countries, there was widespread exhaustion. “The war is over. It never should have started in the first place,” said Reza Sharifi, a resident returning to Tehran.
In Tel Aviv, software engineer Arik Daimant said, “It’s a bit too late for me and my family, because our house was totally destroyed. But… I hope this ceasefire is a new beginning.”
The war left 610 Iranians dead and nearly 5,000 injured. In Israel, 28 people died, marking the first time that Iranian missiles overwhelmed its air defence.
Oil prices tumbled and global stock markets rallied as fears of regional escalation eased.
Classified briefings in Washington were cancelled, raising further questions about the credibility of the official narrative. “Trump just cancelled a classified House briefing on the Iran strikes with zero explanation,” Rep. Pat Ryan posted online. “His team knows they can’t back up his bluster.”
Sources inside the US intelligence community say it’s too early for a final judgment. But with enriched uranium unaccounted for and fortified nuclear sites still standing, the picture remains murky.
Whether the ceasefire holds or not, experts say Iran could restart its programme from hardened facilities like Parchin and Isfahan at any time. As one official summarised: “The US set them back maybe a few months, tops.”
The assessment, prepared by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), was shared with Reuters and CNN by sources familiar with the matter, all speaking anonymously. It found that while damage was substantial at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—including stockpiled uranium and underground centrifuges—remained intact or had been relocated before the strikes.
“The strikes were a spectacular military success. Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump said in a televised address.
DIA warns of Iran’s nuclear recovery
According to the DIA, Iran’s programme might be delayed only by one to three months. The agency also noted that Iran's highly enriched uranium—400kg of it at 60% purity—was likely shifted in advance and could now be at unknown sites.
Vice President JD Vance admitted, “We are going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel.”
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s director general Rafael Grossi said, “The IAEA can no longer account for Iran’s stockpile.”
Military Strikes: Big bombs, limited impact
The US mission included 12 GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs dropped on Fordow and two more on Natanz by B-2 bombers. A US submarine also launched around 30 Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan. Despite this, much of the damage remained above ground.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine, said, “All three of the nuclear sites had sustained severe damage and destruction,” but added that it was “way too early” to determine whether Iran’s core nuclear capabilities were neutralised.
The Pentagon had already been briefed earlier this year that bunker busters might not fully destroy the heavily fortified Fordow, buried beneath 45 to 90 metres of bedrock.
Weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis concluded, “The ceasefire came without either Israel or the United States being able to destroy several key underground nuclear facilities.”
White House rejects report, stands by Trump
The White House dismissed the DIA assessment. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt called it “flat-out wrong” and said, “Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.”
At a press conference, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump: “Based on everything we have seen—and I’ve seen it all—our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.”
Ceasefire brokered, but tempers flared
Following 12 days of war, both Israel and Iran signalled that the fighting had paused. President Trump brokered the ceasefire with help from Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Still, tensions ran high. Trump lashed out at both parties, saying, “They don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” He added, “I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now.”
Israel confirmed it hit a radar site near Tehran in retaliation for an alleged Iranian missile barrage after the ceasefire had begun. Iran denied violating the ceasefire and said Israeli attacks continued an hour and a half beyond the agreed time.
Civilians feel the cost, Markets react
In both countries, there was widespread exhaustion. “The war is over. It never should have started in the first place,” said Reza Sharifi, a resident returning to Tehran.
In Tel Aviv, software engineer Arik Daimant said, “It’s a bit too late for me and my family, because our house was totally destroyed. But… I hope this ceasefire is a new beginning.”
The war left 610 Iranians dead and nearly 5,000 injured. In Israel, 28 people died, marking the first time that Iranian missiles overwhelmed its air defence.
Oil prices tumbled and global stock markets rallied as fears of regional escalation eased.
Classified briefings in Washington were cancelled, raising further questions about the credibility of the official narrative. “Trump just cancelled a classified House briefing on the Iran strikes with zero explanation,” Rep. Pat Ryan posted online. “His team knows they can’t back up his bluster.”
Sources inside the US intelligence community say it’s too early for a final judgment. But with enriched uranium unaccounted for and fortified nuclear sites still standing, the picture remains murky.
Whether the ceasefire holds or not, experts say Iran could restart its programme from hardened facilities like Parchin and Isfahan at any time. As one official summarised: “The US set them back maybe a few months, tops.”
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