A new U.S. intelligence assessment has contradicted President Donald Trump's repeated claims that the American strikes on Iran in June "obliterated" its nuclear program. According to a report published by NBC News, based on interviews with five current and former intelligence officials, the actual damage inflicted by the June 22 strikes was far less extensive than previously suggested.
The assessment, stemming from a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, concluded that Iran's nuclear capabilities were only marginally disrupted, with delays estimated at just a few weeks. While the underground Fordow uranium enrichment facility likely suffered the most severe damage, analysts noted that key centrifuge halls may have remained fully intact.
The Natanz facility—Iran’s primary enrichment center—was also targeted, but the report suggests it incurred significantly less damage. An underground complex still under construction at the site reportedly emerged unscathed, with only surface infrastructure and a limited number of centrifuges affected. Notably, Natanz had already been hit earlier in June by Israeli airstrikes on June 13.
At the Isfahan nuclear site, which was struck by U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles rather than heavier GBU-57 MOP bunker-buster bombs, the impact was minimal. Intelligence officials reported damage to only a handful of above-ground structures, while the facility overall remained operational and largely intact.
Despite the findings, President Trump has maintained his claim that the strikes eliminated Iran’s ability to enrich uranium. These assertions have not only been challenged by U.S. intelligence officials but also by Israeli sources, who similarly believe Iran's program has only been delayed by a matter of months.
Further raising doubts about the president’s narrative is the status of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Prior to the strikes, Iran had reportedly enriched uranium to 60% purity—a level just below weapons-grade. Intelligence sources suspect that a portion of this material was moved before the attacks, as there were no detectable radiation spikes at any of the targeted sites, casting doubt on Trump’s assertion that the uranium was destroyed.
Verification of the uranium’s status is currently impossible. Tehran recently enacted legislation cutting off cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after accusing the organization of leaking sensitive information about Iran's nuclear program and personnel. The Iranian government claims these leaks were passed to Israel and contributed to the targeted assassinations of over a dozen Iranian nuclear scientists during the June conflict.