U.S. air strikes set back Iran’s nuclear programme by up to two years, Pentagon says

The Pentagon says U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have degraded Tehran’s programme by as much as two years, following attacks last month that used heavy bunker-buster bombs.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told reporters on Wednesday that the current assessment points to a “probable” delay of up to two years in Iran’s nuclear progress after the destruction of three key facilities in coordinated air strikes on 22 June.

The U.S. military deployed more than a dozen 30,000-pound (13,600kg) bunker-buster bombs in the operation, targeting deeply buried nuclear infrastructure. The Pentagon did not specify which sites were hit, but Iran has since confirmed damage at the Fordow enrichment plant.

President Donald Trump previously claimed the strikes had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities, although international assessments remain more cautious.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said at the weekend that Iran could resume enriched uranium production within a few months, suggesting Tehran retains some capacity.

The strikes mark a sharp escalation in U.S. military engagement with Iran’s nuclear programme and follow years of mounting tensions over enrichment activity, sanctions, and stalled diplomatic efforts. Iran began scaling back its nuclear commitments in 2019 after the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview this week that the Fordow site had been “seriously and heavily damaged” and that authorities were still assessing the full extent.

The Pentagon’s estimate is being closely scrutinised by Western allies and the IAEA amid fears of further escalation in the region.

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