A preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggests strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have delayed the programme by only a few months, contradicting President Donald Trump’s assertion that it was completely destroyed.
A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment has concluded that last weekend’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have only modestly disrupted Tehran’s programme, according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters.
The classified report, prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), found that Iran’s nuclear efforts may have been set back by just one or two months. This stands in contrast to President Donald Trump and senior administration officials, who claimed the operation had "completely and fully obliterated" Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Over the weekend, the U.S. used a mix of bunker-busting bombs and conventional munitions to target key Iranian nuclear sites, including those at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz. The Pentagon maintains that the strikes were successful, but a full damage assessment remains ongoing and is complicated by limited access and conflicting intelligence.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the strikes, saying the bombs "hit exactly the right spot at each target—and worked perfectly." He added that any claims suggesting minimal damage were politically motivated attempts to discredit the President and the military mission.
Still, one source told Reuters that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles were not destroyed, and that the programme remains largely intact. Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the U.S. still does not have a complete picture of the damage.
The White House, in a statement to CNN, rejected the DIA’s conclusions. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the assessment "flat-out wrong," stating that "everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30,000-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration."
Initial intelligence evaluations are often revised as more data becomes available, and the differing opinions among agencies are not unusual. However, the report has added to political scrutiny, particularly among Democrats.
"There's zero evidence that I've seen that the nuclear programme was completely and totally obliterated as Donald Trump has claimed," said Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Monday.
Classified briefings for lawmakers on the issue were unexpectedly cancelled on Tuesday.
African leaders at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda have called for an end to aid-based relations with the U.S., urging a stronger focus on private investment and transformative partnerships.
The US has funded a private Gaza aid group despite safety concerns and the use of military-linked firms.
The U.S. has sanctioned a top Venezuelan gang leader wanted for drug and terror crimes.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov welcomed the Israel–Iran ceasefire on Tuesday but warned it was too early to say if the truce would hold.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a complete ceasefire "that will end the 12-day war between the two countries."
New research highlights that naturally-regenerating forests, often overlooked in climate policies, could remove carbon up to eight times faster than newly planted trees.
Azerbaijan has been elected Chair of the UN Environment Programme’s key decision-making body, marking a first for the country and strengthening its role in global environmental policy.
The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
Airlines have cancelled and rerouted flights across the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates.
African leaders at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda have called for an end to aid-based relations with the U.S., urging a stronger focus on private investment and transformative partnerships.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in dialogue amid recent regional tensions, with Washington expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.
The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
Airlines have cancelled and rerouted flights across the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates.
African leaders at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda have called for an end to aid-based relations with the U.S., urging a stronger focus on private investment and transformative partnerships.
New research highlights that naturally-regenerating forests, often overlooked in climate policies, could remove carbon up to eight times faster than newly planted trees.
Azerbaijan has been elected Chair of the UN Environment Programme’s key decision-making body, marking a first for the country and strengthening its role in global environmental policy.
The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
Airlines have cancelled and rerouted flights across the Middle East as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates.
African leaders at the U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Luanda have called for an end to aid-based relations with the U.S., urging a stronger focus on private investment and transformative partnerships.
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