Airstrikes barely set back Iran’s nuclear prog
Staff Reporter :
A classified United States intelligence report has revealed that recent American airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites have only marginally delayed Tehran’s nuclear programme -contradicting President Donald Trump’s assertions of “total destruction.”
The assessment, reported by US media on Tuesday, indicates that the strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear progress by only a few months.
This comes as a US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel continues to hold following nearly two weeks of intense hostilities that claimed hundreds of lives and raised fears of broader regional escalation.
According to the intelligence findings, the US military deployed B-2 bombers equipped with GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on two primary nuclear facilities in Iran, while a submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at a third.
However, the strikes reportedly only sealed off access points, failing to destroy the heavily fortified underground sites. Despite these findings, President Trump publicly maintained that the airstrikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “The nuclear sites in Iran are completely destroyed!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence report but dismissed its conclusions. In a statement posted on X, she described the leak as “an attempt to undermine President Trump and discredit the courageous fighter pilots who carried out a flawlessly executed mission.”
The ceasefire, brokered by Washington, has remained intact since early Wednesday, providing a respite following 12 days of missile exchanges and aerial bombardments between Israel and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ceasefire as a “historic victory,” asserting that Israel had inflicted significant damage on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
In contrast, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian commended Iran’s “heroic resistance” and reaffirmed the country’s right to peaceful nuclear development. Speaking via the state-run IRNA news agency, he said Tehran would honour the ceasefire as long as Israel did the same. He also expressed readiness to return to diplomatic negotiations, stating that Iran was “prepared to resolve matters at the negotiating table.”
However, tensions remain high. Just one day after the ceasefire came into effect, Iranian authorities announced the execution of three individuals accused of spying for Israel. The men-Idris Ali, Azad Shojai, and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul-were found guilty of attempting to import equipment for use in assassination plots allegedly linked to the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad.
According to Iran’s judiciary, the executions were carried out in the northwestern city of Urmia following expedited trials. State media released images of the accused in prison uniforms shortly before their execution.
On the diplomatic front, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the US-brokered truce during a meeting with President Trump on the sidelines of a NATO summit in the Netherlands.
Erdogan described the ceasefire as a critical step toward regional stability and expressed hope that it would be sustained.
The Turkish leader also called for closer cooperation between Ankara and Washington to help resolve other pressing conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine.
“The humanitarian tragedy in Gaza must end as soon as possible,” read a statement from the Turkish presidency, which also underscored the importance of a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Following the cessation of hostilities, Iran began lifting wartime internet restrictions. The Revolutionary Guards’ cyber security unit confirmed that communications were gradually being restored. Minister of Communications Sattar Hashemi also announced on X that connectivity had returned to its “pre-war status.”
The truce between Iran and Israel has been broadly welcomed by the international community. Germany, Russia, and several other nations have issued statements in support of the ceasefire and urged both sides to prioritise diplomatic engagement and avoid further escalation.