Trump Says Iran Nuke Program ‘Obliterated’ Amid Dispute Over Intel/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump and his administration claim U.S. strikes on Iran dealt a crushing blow to Iran’s nuclear program. This assertion clashes with a preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggesting only a minor delay. The disagreement has intensified debate over the strikes’ success, defense leaks, and America’s strategic position in the Middle East.
Quick Look – Key Points
- Trump Defends Strikes: President Trump insists U.S. airstrikes on Iran caused major nuclear setbacks, calling them “devastating.”
- Disputed Intelligence: A leaked DIA report suggested only a minor delay to Iran’s program, sparking White House backlash.
- Israeli Confirmation: Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission said the Fordo enrichment facility was rendered inoperable.
- Iran Acknowledges Damage: Iran’s Foreign Ministry admitted to “significant” damage to nuclear installations.
- Media Criticism: Trump condemned leaked intel and media reports as “disrespectful” to military personnel.
- Nuclear Material Concerns: Trump believes Iran couldn’t remove enriched uranium before strikes hit.
- Classified Briefings Ahead: Congressional intelligence briefings rescheduled for Thursday and Friday.
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump doubled down Wednesday on his assertion that U.S. airstrikes “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, despite a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment indicating only limited impact.
“This was a devastating attack, and it knocked them for a loop,” Trump affirmed, as officials mobilized to defend his characterization of the results.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned the leaked report was “preliminary” with “low confidence.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced the leak, calling the source a “professional stabber.”
The White House referenced a statement from the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, asserting the strikes set Iran back “by many years.”
Assessing the true damage of these strikes is challenging, fueling a dispute that could sway public perception of Trump’s choice to jointly strike alongside Israel. The fallout will influence Washington’s next diplomatic steps to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, while U.S. and Israeli leaders claim it serves as a gateway to weaponization. One key strike hit the Fordo facility, which houses deeply buried nuclear enrichment infrastructure. Israel’s agency said the facility is now “inoperable”—a claim echoed by the White House and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
A joint statement declared:
“American and Israeli strikes … have set back Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, speaking to Al Jazeera, admitted the attacks caused “significant damage” to the country’s nuclear installations.
Trump treated the intelligence leak as a partisan assault and lashed out at media coverage, deeming critics “scum” and accusing the publications of disrespecting military pilots who flew stealth bombers across the globe to deliver the strikes. He emphasized their courage, calling the coverage “very unfair.”
A critical lingering question remains: Did Iran manage to remove enriched uranium before the strike?
“I believe they didn’t have a chance to get anything out, because we acted fast,” Trump stated. He argued that transporting such material is both difficult and dangerous.
Classified briefings for lawmakers, initially planned for Tuesday, are now expected Thursday and Friday, as Congress and the public await more definitive analysis.
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