The CIA has confirmed that recent US airstrikes have caused significant damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Director John Ratcliffe stated that credible intelligence shows several key nuclear sites were destroyed and will take years to rebuild.
Conflicting Reports Over Damage
Earlier this week, a leaked report from the US Defense Intelligence Agency claimed the strikes had only set Iran’s program back by a few months. The White House strongly rejected that claim, calling it “flat-out wrong” and blaming the leak on a junior intelligence official.
Speaking at a NATO summit in The Hague, President Donald Trump said the strikes had led to the “virtual obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He claimed the program had been set back by “decades.”
Israel and Iran Involved in Direct Conflict
Israel’s military confirmed that ground forces had entered Iranian territory during the recent 12-day conflict. Iran also confirmed the death of senior commander Ali Shadmani from injuries sustained in Israeli airstrikes.
At the summit, Trump compared the Iran-Israel conflict to “two kids in a school yard.” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded, saying, “Sometimes daddy has to use strong language.”
The strikes follow weeks of tensions between Iran and Israel, which led to a temporary ceasefire now holding. The situation remains volatile, with the long-term impact of the strikes still unfolding.