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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A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelling debate over influence, trust, and politics.
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing the youth tournament to the South Caucasus for the second consecutive edition after the 2027 event.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday Iran could telephone if it wants to negotiate an end to their two-month war. Tehran said the U.S. should remove obstacles to a deal, including its blockade of Iran's ports. Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrives in St Petersburg for talks.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.
Reversing a decade of restrictions, New South Wales has opened new areas for gas exploration in its remote west. The move reflects growing concern over future energy supply across Australia’s east coast.
Travel demand across China is expected to remain robust during the upcoming five-day Labour Day holiday starting 1 May.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 29th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, has said the situation is “under control” in his first public remarks since a wave of coordinated attacks shook the country last weekend.
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