Assessments of damage ⁣to Iran’s nuclear program following reported U.S. and israeli strikes are sharply divided. Former⁤ President ⁢Trump initially​ claimed “obliteration” and later cited⁢ “collected intelligence” indicating the Iranian program had been ‌set​ back “decades.” ‌He likened the bunker-buster bombs‌ used on Fordow and Natanz to the ⁢Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, emphasizing their conflict-ending ‍impact.

Trump also rejected reports⁢ from the International Atomic Energy Agency⁣ (IAEA) regarding iran’s 400kg stock of‌ 60% enriched uranium,wich⁤ the agency said was moved and unaccounted ⁣for. Vice President JD Vance had earlier admitted the U.S. lacked knowledge of the uranium’s location, suggesting it would be⁢ discussed ⁢with Iran.

CIA Director ⁢John Ratcliffe stated that credible ⁤intelligence showed severe damage to Iran’s nuclear program, requiring years to rebuild. “This includes new ⁢intelligence ⁣from a historically reliable and accurate​ source/method that several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed,”⁢ Ratcliffe said.

Trump also claimed a U.S.-Iran meeting was ‍planned to renegotiate tehran’s nuclear program. “We’re‌ going to⁣ talk to them next week with Iran, we may sign ⁣an agreement, I don’t know,” he​ stated, adding, “I don’t care if ⁤I​ have an agreement or⁤ not.”

Trump ⁤appeared less confident about the previously declared “unlimited” ceasefire, ‌suggesting renewed conflict was possible. ‌”I dealt with both and they’re both tired, weary … and​ can it start again? I⁣ guess someday, it can. It⁤ could maybe start⁤ soon,” he said.

Defense ‌Secretary ‌Hegseth described the damage to Iran’s ‍nuclear facilities as “moderate to ⁤severe.”‍ He pledged an FBI investigation into Pentagon leaks but‍ also claimed the leaked information was false.

The Israeli military​ is still assessing the bombing campaign’s damage, but ‌one senior officer insisted, “We pushed them years⁢ backward.”

The Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) stated the ⁣strikes destroyed‍ Fordow’s “critical infrastructure,” rendering the enrichment facility inoperable and setting back Iran’s ‌nuclear weapons growth by “many years.”

CNN ⁣reported on a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency ⁤(DIA) assessment that the‌ Fordow site⁤ and ⁣Natanz ​facilities ⁢were not destroyed, and key components,⁤ including centrifuges, could be restarted within months. The Guardian⁣ and other outlets independently confirmed the CNN report’s accuracy. The Washington Post noted⁣ the assessment⁣ was “low-confidence,” with potential for further analysis⁢ to⁤ reveal even less damage.

The DIA assessment also found that much of Iran’s ⁤stockpile of highly⁤ enriched uranium had ‍been moved before the‌ strikes, possibly to other secret nuclear​ sites. A new facility ⁤has‌ been excavated ⁢under a mountain south of the original Natanz facility.

Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, an IDF spokesperson, said the air force’s bombing sorties had results “even better than ⁤we expected,” estimating​ a “significant blow” to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, pushing them “years backward.” CNN reported Israeli intelligence estimates of a two-year​ setback.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi rejected the “hourglass approach” of assessing rebuild times, arguing it distracted from a long-term solution. ​”In any case, the technological knowledge is ⁣there and the industrial capacity‍ is there,”‌ Grossi said, prioritizing the return of IAEA inspectors for proper⁣ assessment.

Nuclear experts warned of a potential disaster ⁣for nonproliferation ⁢efforts and the dangers of Iran ejecting IAEA inspectors and leaving the 1968⁢ nuclear⁤ non-proliferation treaty (NPT). Iran’s parliament is preparing⁤ a‌ bill to allow departure from the NPT.