Senior US defence officials have claimed that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has been destroyed as a result of recent military strikes, contradicting early intelligence assessments that suggested only limited disruption.
At a press briefing held at the Pentagon on Thursday morning, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine addressed a leaked report which indicated that the strikes carried out on June 22 had caused only a short-term setback to Iran’s nuclear programme.
The officials asserted that the strikes had successfully eliminated Iran’s key nuclear sites, aligning with statements previously made by US President Donald Trump.
“The president authorised the most complex and secretive military operation in recent history,” Hegseth said. “This operation resulted in a ceasefire agreement and brought an end to a twelve-day conflict.”
Hegseth added that the military action had created the necessary conditions to end hostilities, while simultaneously dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities. “Use whatever term you prefer — eliminated, destroyed — the fact is, they no longer exist,” he said.
However, these claims stand in contrast to an initial report prepared by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), which described the strikes as a minor disruption. The report suggested that Iran could restore its nuclear facilities within a few months.
The precise impact of the strikes remains unclear, given the limited time that has elapsed since the operation.
President Trump has maintained that the American assault inflicted “devastating” damage. Speaking to reporters, he warned that questioning the effectiveness of the operation would not only amount to disloyalty but would also insult the pilots who conducted the mission.
As Hegseth and Caine delivered their remarks, President Trump urged his supporters on the Truth Social platform to watch the briefing, describing it as “the best, most professional, and most conclusive” press conference he had witnessed.
He also claimed that media outlets such as The New York Times and CNN would dismiss journalists responsible for publishing “FAKE” stories — a statement for which no evidence has emerged.
On Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that the US attacks had severely damaged Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
“New intelligence, obtained through historically reliable means, indicates that several of Iran’s critical nuclear facilities have been destroyed and may take years to rebuild,” Ratcliffe said in a brief statement.
