U.S. intelligence leaks, cited by CNN and NPR and attributed to a senior official at the Department of Defense, revealed that the large-scale airstrikes carried out by the United States on Saturday night against three Iranian nuclear sites failed to achieve the "complete destruction" declared by President Donald Trump. Instead, the strikes caused only limited damage, reportedly delaying Iran's nuclear program by "a few months."
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| The effects of the US strike on the Natanz facility |
Early Intelligence Assessment
The leaks, based on an initial assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), confirmed that the strikes did not "eliminate" Iran's uranium enrichment capability—especially at the heavily fortified Fordow facility, which is built deep inside a mountain.
This assessment stands in contrast to President Trump’s portrayal of the mission as a “brilliant military success.”
Criticism from Congress
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called on the administration to provide urgent clarification. He warned of the risk of a "potential race toward a dirty bomb" if the situation is not carefully managed. A classified congressional briefing scheduled to address the developments has reportedly been postponed.
White House Denies Reports
The White House responded strongly to the leaks. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt dismissed CNN’s report as “completely false” and accused unnamed actors of trying to undermine President Trump’s achievements.
Iran: Enrichment Will Continue
In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran would "ignore Israel’s demands" to halt uranium enrichment and emphasized that the country’s nuclear program would continue. Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, also confirmed that Iran had "prepared in advance" for such strikes and would not allow any disruption in production.
Experts: Nuclear Knowledge Cannot Be Bombed Away
Independent analysts and research institutions, including the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, described the U.S. strike as “partial and insufficient.” They stressed that Iran’s nuclear capabilities are not solely based on physical infrastructure, but also on widely distributed scientific knowledge that cannot be erased through bombing.
Conclusion
The intelligence leaks, along with international evaluations, cast doubt on the strategic effectiveness of the latest U.S. airstrikes. While Tehran appears defiant and determined to press forward, the official American narrative faces increasing scrutiny both domestically and internationally.
