ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Preliminary intelligence reports indicate that recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities fell short of eliminating Tehran’s core nuclear capabilities, casting doubt on President Donald Trump’s claims of a decisive military success.
DIA Report: Iran’s Nuclear Program Only Temporarily Disrupted
According to an early assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the coordinated attacks, which targeted sites including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, inflicted damage but did not fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The strikes may have delayed the program by **a few months, but not more, multiple sources told CNN.
“The DIA believes the strikes may have delayed Iran’s program by a few months at most,” one official familiar with the report said.
The assessment, based on battle damage evaluations from *U.S. Central Command*, contradicts President Trump’s repeated claims that the strikes “completely obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capacity.
Enriched Uranium and Centrifuges Survived
The report reveals that much of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and a significant number of centrifuges survived the attack. Iranian officials reportedly relocated critical materials before the strikes were launched, minimizing damage to the country’s most fortified assets.
Despite over a dozen 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs* being deployed on key locations, most of the destruction was limited to aboveground structures*, such as power stations and support buildings. Underground facilities — where core components are housed — were largely unaffected.
White House Rejects Findings, Calls Report “Wrong”
The White House dismissed the DIA’s conclusions. *Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt* called the assessment “flat-out wrong” and accused sources of leaking information to politically undermine the President. Speaking from the *NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Trump described the operation as “one of the most successful military operations in history.”
Meanwhile, *Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine* urged caution, stating it is “way too early” to determine the full extent of damage or to conclude whether Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been neutralized.
Israel and Experts Echo Cautious Outlook
*Israeli intelligence* and *independent weapons analysts* offered similar evaluations. Despite participating in pre-strike operations, Israel reported that Iran’s Fordow facility suffered less damage than anticipated. However, Israeli officials estimate the combined U.S.-Israel effort may have set back Iran’s program by up to *two years*, provided that Iran cannot quickly rebuild.
“The strikes failed to fully destroy underground nuclear sites near Natanz, Isfahan, and Parchin,” said *Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert at the Middlebury Institute, citing analysis of commercial satellite imagery.
The strike on Isfahan reportedly involved *Tomahawk cruise missiles*, fired from a U.S. submarine, instead of bunker busters, due to the facility’s deep underground design.
Concerns Over Undisclosed Sites and Postponed Briefings
Intelligence officials also warned that *Iran may still be operating undisclosed nuclear sites*, which were not targeted in the strike.
In Washington, classified briefings for Congress were abruptly delayed, drawing concern from lawmakers. Representative Pat Ryan (D-NY) suggested the postponement may have been intended to prevent scrutiny over the credibility of the administration’s public narrative.
As a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel holds, global attention remains focused on Tehran’s next move and whether its nuclear programme can be rapidly restored.
