Trump Reaffirms Claims of Decimating Iran’s Nuclear Sites
President Donald Trump stood firm on Wednesday, reiterating that U.S. airstrikes had completely obliterated Iran’s nuclear program. Speaking at a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, he dismissed an initial U.S. intelligence report suggesting the damage was less extensive than previously depicted.
Conflicting Assessments Spark Debate
According to a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment, the strikes against three critical Iranian nuclear sites—including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—did not entirely wipe out the facilities. Instead, the report estimates that the bombings set Iran’s nuclear capabilities back by a few months, rather than years, contradicting prior statements from Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump acknowledged the existence of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s report but questioned its thoroughness. Highlighting that the assessment was made only days after the strikes, he said, "They didn’t see the full extent of the damage. The report was not a complete report." He also insisted that the document acknowledged the damage could be severe, a point he felt was overlooked by the media.
White House Pushback and Leak Investigation
The White House responded angrily to the intelligence report's leaks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the preliminary assessment as "flat-out wrong" and disparaged the anonymous source behind the leak. Meanwhile, Hegseth doubled down, stating anyone downplaying the impact of the strikes was undermining both the President and the mission’s success.
Highlighting the seriousness of the leak, the Pentagon has launched an investigation with the FBI. Hegseth emphasized the report carried a "low confidence" tag and stressed the preliminary nature of its findings.
Strong Defense of the Strikes
Accompanying Trump at the press conference, Hegseth criticized what he termed "fake news," underscoring the depth and effectiveness of the recent airstrikes. He used vivid imagery to highlight the destruction at Fordo, saying, "If you want to assess what happened, you'll need a big shovel to dig deep, because Iran's nuclear program is obliterated."
Reinforcing this message, the White House circulated a statement from Israel's Atomic Energy Commission asserting that the U.S. strike obliterated critical infrastructure at the Fordo site, rendering the nuclear enrichment facility inoperable. The commission also credited combined U.S. and Israeli efforts with setting back Iran’s nuclear weapons development by many years.
Congressional Briefings Delayed Amid Rising Tensions
Classified briefings on the evolving situation in Iran, initially scheduled for Tuesday, were unexpectedly postponed. The Senate briefing has been rescheduled for Thursday, while House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the House session will take place on Friday.
What’s Next?
- Ongoing investigations into leaks surrounding the intelligence report.
- Further congressional briefings to clarify the status of Iran’s nuclear program post-strike.
- Continued diplomatic and strategic discussions among NATO allies in response to the developments.
