Image Credentials: Image Title: Pentagon Assessment Contradicts Trump’s Claims on US Strikes Against Iran’s Nuclear Program Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
Washington D.C. – A Pentagon intelligence assessment has cast doubt on President Donald Trump’s assertions that the US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities “completely and obliterated” the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. According to the assessment, which was shared with CBS and other US media outlets, the strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities and likely only set back the program by a few months.
The Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has evaluated the strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites – Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan – and found that while significant damage was inflicted on above-ground structures, the underground facilities, where much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is housed, largely remained intact. According to sources familiar with the evaluation, the strikes did not significantly impact Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, as some of it had been moved ahead of the air campaign.
Pentagon Report Undermines Trump's Claim: 'Iranian Nuclear Facilities Still Largely Intact After US Strike'#INDvsEND #IranIsraelConflict #IranVsIsrael pic.twitter.com/jNyo4RUDJN
— BitMonty (@Bit_Montie) June 24, 2025
The bombing campaign, which included the use of a Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb weighing 30,000 pounds, targeted key nuclear sites. The MOP is known for its ability to penetrate deep concrete bunkers and underground facilities. Despite its immense power, the Pentagon’s assessment indicates that the airstrikes failed to fully neutralize Iran’s nuclear centrifuges, which are crucial to uranium enrichment.
While US officials initially hailed the mission as a success, the new intelligence assessment suggests that the damage was not as devastating as claimed. “It is estimated that the attack has only set Iran back a few months, tops,” one source familiar with the DIA’s findings stated. The report suggests that it may take Iran some time to restore the facilities, but that the nuclear program will not be permanently halted.
The Pentagon’s findings sharply contrast with the rhetoric from President Trump and key members of his administration. Following the airstrikes, President Trump had touted the operation as a monumental success. “We completely and obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities,” he said. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth echoed the President’s sentiment, declaring, “Based on everything we have seen, our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.”
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have also supported the US airstrikes, with Netanyahu asserting that Israel has been successful in curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile capabilities since hostilities began in June. Netanyahu highlighted that two “existential threats” to Israel had been removed: the threat of nuclear annihilation and the threat from Iran’s missile arsenal.
However, the assessment also noted the complexities of monitoring Iran’s nuclear program. While satellite images showed signs of damage to the Fordo site, the full extent of the damage below the surface remains unclear. The use of MOP bombs was intended to penetrate up to 60 feet of concrete or 200 feet of earth, but the effectiveness of the bombs in crippling Iran’s underground facilities has come under scrutiny.
Iran, for its part, has downplayed the impact of the US strikes. Hassan Abedini, the deputy political director of Iran’s state broadcaster, claimed that the sites were evacuated before the strikes, and materials had already been removed. He described the airstrikes as “not a major blow” to the country’s nuclear program.
David Albright, a prominent expert on nuclear proliferation and president of the Institute for Science and International Security, commented on the Pentagon’s findings, saying that while the airstrikes had undoubtedly caused significant damage, the attack would not have a long-term crippling effect on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “It will take significant time, investment, and energy for Iran to restore its nuclear program, but it is far from destroyed,” he said. Albright added that Iran is “under intense scrutiny and observation from the United States and Israel,” indicating that further strikes could follow if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear capabilities.
In response to the US airstrikes, Iran launched a retaliatory missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to thousands of US troops. While the missile barrage was largely intercepted and resulted in no casualties, the move further heightened tensions in the region.
Following the missile retaliation, President Trump urged both Israel and Iran to agree to a ceasefire. After some diplomatic back and forth, both nations confirmed later in the day that a ceasefire had been established.
The back-and-forth between the US, Israel, and Iran underscores the volatile nature of the Middle East and the high stakes surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. While the US and Israel continue to insist that the airstrikes were a resounding success, the Pentagon’s intelligence assessment paints a more cautious picture, raising questions about the true extent of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.