Early Pentagon assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites

A classified U.S. report indicates that recent bombings of Iran’s nuclear sites damaged entrances but did not collapse underground facilities, delaying Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months. U.S. intelligence previously estimated Iran could produce a bomb in about three months, but after the attacks, the delay is now assessed to be less than six months; about 2 months.

Iran likely moved much of its enriched uranium before the strikes, maintaining control over its nuclear material. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt called the report “flat-out wrong,” asserting that the strikes effectively “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.

Initial assessments suggest significant damage, particularly to infrastructure at the Fordo facility, but the total impact remains unclear. Military officials noted that multiple strikes would be necessary for greater damage.