Washington, DC – The Pentagon announced that recent U.S. airstrikes against Iran have significantly set back the country’s nuclear programme, delaying it by an estimated one to two years. This statement follows President Donald Trump’s earlier claim that the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Wednesday that three Iranian nuclear sites targeted in the operation were destroyed. “We have degraded their programme by one to two years at least,” Parnell told reporters, describing the mission as a “bold operation” and affirming that internal intelligence assessments support that timeline.
Since the U.S. deployed B-2 stealth bombers to Iran on June 21, President Trump has repeatedly dismissed any skepticism surrounding the effectiveness of the strikes. He has insisted the Iranian nuclear programme was wiped out “like nobody’s ever seen before.”
However, a previously leaked U.S. intelligence report suggested that the strikes fell short of fully dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, indicating that the impact might have only delayed progress by several months rather than years.
Iran has released little official information about the condition of its nuclear sites. While some Iranian officials acknowledged serious damage resulting from joint U.S. and Israeli attacks, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump’s claims as “exaggerated.” So far, there has been no independent verification of the full extent of the damage. Satellite imagery has offered limited insight, especially in assessing Iran’s underground facilities, such as the heavily fortified Fordow enrichment site.
The fate of Iran’s stockpiles of highly enriched uranium also remains unclear. Satellite images revealed trucks departing from Fordow shortly before the U.S. strikes, raising questions about whether some materials were moved in advance.
While Iran and neighboring countries reported no unusual radiation levels following the bombings, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), cautioned that parts of Iran’s uranium stockpile might have been damaged or relocated. “We don’t know where this material could be or if part of it could have been under the attack during those 12 days,” he told CBS News, noting that uranium enrichment could resume within months.
The nuclear facilities hit by U.S. airstrikes had been under continuous IAEA monitoring. But following the conflict, Iran’s parliament passed legislation to suspend cooperation with the agency, citing its failure to condemn the U.S. and Israeli attacks.
This move effectively removed Iran’s programme from international oversight. The Geneva Conventions prohibit attacks on infrastructure containing dangerous forces, including nuclear installations.
Prior to the war, which began on June 13, Iran accused the IAEA of sharing sensitive information with Israel — a claim the agency has denied. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department urged Tehran to restore access for international inspectors.
“It is unacceptable that Iran chose to suspend cooperation with the IAEA at a time when it has a window of opportunity to reverse course and choose a path of peace and prosperity,” said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce in a statement.
The conflict began when Israel launched a large-scale strike against Iran, asserting it was acting preemptively to halt Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions. Iran has consistently denied pursuing a nuclear weapon, while Israel is widely believed to possess an undeclared nuclear arsenal.
The war claimed hundreds of Iranian civilian lives, including nuclear scientists and military figures. Iran retaliated with missile attacks that caused heavy damage and killed 29 people in Israel.
Ten days into the fighting, the U.S. joined Israel in striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In response, Iran fired missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar, although that attack caused no casualties.
Shortly afterward, President Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Both nations later described the outcome as a “historic victory.”
While Israel maintains that the strikes dismantled Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Iranian officials argue that their core strategic programmes — including missile development and nuclear infrastructure — remain intact. Tehran also highlighted its ability to maintain governmental stability throughout the 12-day conflict.
