Iran N-sites destroyed in US strikes, any new facilities will be obliterated, reiterates Trump

Trump's post comes amid conflicting reports over the extent of damage inflicted during the June 21 strikes, reportedly part of Operation Midnight Hammer.

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on claims that American airstrikes in June “completely destroyed” three key nuclear facilities in Iran, warning that any new installations built by Tehran would also be eliminated.

“All three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or obliterated,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday.  “It would take years to bring them back into service… they’d be better off starting anew in different locations,” he added, referring to the Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities.

The post comes amid conflicting reports over the extent of damage inflicted during the June 21 strikes, reportedly part of Operation Midnight Hammer.

While US officials initially claimed significant setbacks to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, several outlets later cited intelligence assessments suggesting that only the Fordow site had sustained heavy damage. Natanz and Isfahan, two of Iran’s primary enrichment centres, were reportedly left largely intact and could resume operations if authorised by Tehran.

The White House has since rejected those assessments.

Defence Department spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a statement describing the media coverage as “fake news,” asserting: “Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz were completely and totally obliterated.”

However, CNN reported in late June that US intelligence officials believe the strikes may have only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by several months. The Defence Intelligence Agency reportedly expressed “low confidence” in the reliability of their post-strike evaluations.

Following this, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear development. During a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran remained committed to international law and that its nuclear activities were transparent and legally protected, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA.

Pezeshkian also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to constructive relations with neighbouring countries and accused foreign powers of attempting to deprive the country of its lawful technological rights.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran have stalled amid heightened regional tensions following Israeli military action that triggered a 12-day conflict with Iran earlier this summer. Despite the escalation, both Washington and Tehran have indicated a willingness to resume negotiations. Mediators from Oman and Qatar have been facilitating backchannel talks.

The long-standing standoff over Iran’s nuclear ambitions dates back to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which restricted Iran’s uranium enrichment to 3.67% and capped its stockpile at 300 kg. The accord collapsed in 2018 when Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal, prompting Iran to resume high-level enrichment, now reaching up to 60%, just below weapons-grade.

Earlier this month, President Pezeshkian signed legislation suspending Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a move that raised further concerns over the country’s nuclear transparency.