WASHINGTON: Senior US defense officials on Thursday claimed that recent military strikes have destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, directly contradicting earlier intelligence assessments that had suggested only limited and temporary disruption.
At a Pentagon press briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine responded to a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, which downplayed the long-term impact of the June 22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear program.
“The president authorized one of the most complex and covert military operations in modern history,” Hegseth said. “That operation not only dismantled Iran’s nuclear capabilities but also laid the groundwork for a ceasefire and the conclusion of a 12-day conflict.”
He emphasized that the US military had “eliminated” or “destroyed” Iran’s key nuclear facilities, echoing earlier statements by President Donald Trump.
“These sites no longer exist. Whether you call it eliminated or destroyed, the result is the same,” Hegseth asserted.
However, the officials’ claims appear to contradict an initial assessment from the DIA, which described the damage as limited and suggested that Iran could restore the affected sites within months.
The actual extent of the damage remains uncertain, as independent verification has not yet been conducted, and the situation on the ground is still evolving.
President Trump, speaking separately, described the strikes as “devastating”, warning that questioning their success would not only be misleading but also “insult the brave pilots” involved in the operation.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump urged supporters to watch the Pentagon briefing, calling it “the best, most professional, and most conclusive” press conference to date. He also accused media outlets such as The New York Times and CNN of publishing “FAKE” stories—though he offered no evidence to support this claim.
Meanwhile, CIA Director John Ratcliffe released a brief statement on Wednesday, stating that “critical components of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure have been destroyed,” and suggested that rebuilding them could take years based on newly gathered intelligence.
As of now, Iran has not officially confirmed the extent of the damage, and international nuclear watchdogs have yet to issue a formal assessment.
