US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities may have only set programme back by months, Pentagon says

A classified U.S. intelligence assessment has concluded that the recent strikes ordered by President Donald Trump on Iran’s nuclear facilities fell short of their stated goal, failing to destroy two of the targeted sites and likely only delaying Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, according to two sources familiar with the report.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) found that crucial parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, such as centrifuges, could be reactivated within a few months. Additionally, much of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile—which could be used for nuclear weapons—had reportedly been relocated ahead of the strikes, potentially to undisclosed sites.

These findings, based on a preliminary damage assessment conducted by U.S. Central Command, cast doubt on Trump’s bold claim that the sites had been "obliterated."

Trump’s Assertions Challenged

In a televised address on Saturday night, Trump declared the strikes a resounding military success, claiming that nuclear enrichment sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan had been completely destroyed.

“Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated,” Trump said from the White House, adding that Iran "must now make peace."

However, the DIA's findings indicate that Fordow, in particular, remained largely intact, raising questions about the effectiveness of the strikes. Further assessments may reveal even less damage than initially believed.

Fordow’s Fortified Defenses

Fordow, considered Iran’s most secure enrichment facility, lies buried beneath the Zagros Mountains, shielded by 45 to 90 meters of dense rock. Pentagon officials were reportedly briefed early in Trump’s second term that even the 30,000-pound GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs would be insufficient to fully destroy the site. Only a tactical nuclear weapon, they were told, would be capable of neutralizing Fordow entirely.

Official Reactions

Trump appeared angered by reports challenging his narrative, posting on social media: “THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!”

The White House dismissed the intelligence report, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denouncing the leak as an effort to undermine the president and discredit the U.S. pilots involved in the operation. “This was a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program,” she insisted.

Vice President JD Vance acknowledged uncertainty regarding the location of Iran’s enriched uranium, saying on Sunday, “We are going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel.”

Concerns Over International Oversight

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated on Monday that the agency can no longer verify the whereabouts of Iran’s 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity.

According to defense officials, the operation involved B-2 bombers dropping 12 GBU-57 bombs on Fordow and two on Natanz, while a U.S. Navy submarine launched approximately 30 Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated Trump’s claim that the sites were "obliterated," but General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered a more cautious view. He said the sites had “sustained severe damage and destruction,” though the final battle damage assessment was still pending.