An early U.S. intelligence assessment suggests that recent military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities failed to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program, according to a report by CNN on Tuesday. Citing sources familiar with the assessment, CNN reported that while the strikes on Saturday targeted three key nuclear sites, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Natanz Enrichment Complex, they did not eliminate Iran’s centrifuges or its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The assessment, reportedly produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), indicates that the strikes likely delayed Iran’s nuclear capabilities by less than six months. The analysis was based on a battle damage report conducted by U.S. Central Command following the strikes.
President Donald Trump, who ordered the strikes after days of deliberation, claimed the operation had “totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. He has reiterated this assertion publicly several times. However, the reported DIA findings appear to contradict his statements, suggesting that the core components of Iran’s nuclear program remain intact.
The strikes involved over a dozen bombs dropped on two of Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities. Despite the intensity of the assault, intelligence officials now believe that the impact was limited in scope. The New York Times also corroborated CNN’s reporting, stating the program was delayed by less than half a year.
The White House swiftly pushed back against the media reports. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed CNN’s story on social media, calling it “flat-out wrong” and noting that the alleged assessment was classified as “top secret.”
“This alleged ‘assessment’ is flat-out wrong and was classified as ‘top secret’ but was still leaked to CNN,” Leavitt wrote on X.
The conflicting narratives have raised questions about the true effectiveness of the U.S. military operation and the extent of damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Analysts warn that if the program was merely delayed rather than dismantled, Tehran could resume its enrichment activities relatively quickly, further complicating diplomatic and security efforts in the region.
