Pentagon Assessment Reveals: US Strikes Failed to Dismantle Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

The U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities sparked a wave of debates about their effectiveness. Early Pentagon assessments suggest that these attacks didn’t fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Instead, damage may have set it back by only a few months.

Reports indicate that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium remained largely intact. Sources familiar with the situation revealed to CBS that while some infrastructure was damaged, many of the critical facilities were secure underground. The U.S. had targeted sites like Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan with powerful “bunker buster” bombs designed to penetrate deeply buried targets.

Interestingly, some of Iran’s enriched uranium was reportedly relocated prior to the strikes, as noted by intelligence assessments. This forethought might have mitigated the attack’s impact.

General Dan Caine stated that assessing the damage would take time but emphasized severe destruction at all targeted locations. Satellite images showed fresh craters, but it’s unclear how much damage occurs below the surface.

Iran’s state broadcaster claimed the sites had been evacuated, prompting officials to suggest the strikes didn’t cause major harm. Meanwhile, U.S. officials deemed the strikes a success, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth asserting that they obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Israel echoed this sentiment, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating that the strikes helped curb both Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile arsenal.

However, the situation remains complex. David Albright, a nuclear weapons expert, noted that restoring Iran’s program after the damage will demand substantial time and resources. He also pointed out that Iran is closely monitored by both the U.S. and Israel, which could lead to further attacks if it attempts to rebuild.

The airstrikes ignited a rapid sequence of retaliatory actions. Iran launched a missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to U.S. troops, though this attack was mostly intercepted without casualties. In the aftermath, President Trump called for a ceasefire, which both nations reportedly began to acknowledge.

This back-and-forth highlights the escalating tensions in the region. The airstrikes did offer a glimpse into modern military capabilities but also revealed the challenges of ensuring lasting peace and stability.



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