A preliminary Pentagon intelligence assessment suggests that recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have not crippled the country’s nuclear program, causing only a setback of several months at most. Sources familiar with a Defense Intelligence Agency evaluation, speaking to CBS News, indicate that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains largely intact.
The White House strongly refuted this assessment, labeling it a deliberate attempt to undermine President Trump, who previously claimed the strikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s enrichment capabilities.
The US targeted three sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—using bunker-buster bombs designed to penetrate significant depths of concrete and earth. However, the Pentagon’s assessment reveals that while above-ground structures suffered damage, the largely underground centrifuges remain largely functional.
Sources suggest that the impact is limited to a few months of delay, contingent on the time required for repairs and restoration. Intelligence suggests some of Iran’s enriched uranium was relocated prior to the strikes.
While the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb was intended to neutralize underground facilities, initial assessments indicate otherwise. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged the need for a comprehensive damage assessment, while simultaneously asserting “extremely severe damage and destruction” at all three sites. Satellite imagery shows surface damage, yet subsurface impact remains unclear.
Iranian officials claim preemptive relocation of materials minimized the impact of the strikes. Conversely, US and Israeli officials hailed the mission as a success. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated the bombing campaign “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, dismissing contrary assessments as attempts to undermine the President.
Prime Minister Netanyahu similarly asserted significant success in curbing Iranian nuclear ambitions and missile arsenal capabilities since June 13th. A Saudi news report, citing an unnamed Israeli source, claims most of Iran’s enriched uranium is now buried under the rubble.
The inherent diversity of US intelligence agencies can lead to varying conclusions. David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, noted that while significant time and resources will be required for Iran to rebuild its program, it remains under intense scrutiny and risks further attacks if it attempts to do so.
Following the US strikes, Iran launched a missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which was largely intercepted. Subsequently, a ceasefire was agreed upon between Iran and Israel, following President Trump’s urging.