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Trump Claims U.S. Airstrikes Crippled Iran’s Nuclear Sites Amid Conflicting Intelligence Reports

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that American airstrikes in June completely destroyed three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. While the Pentagon backed this assertion, intelligence leaks suggest only Fordow was heavily damaged, with Natanz and Isfahan largely intact. The Defence Intelligence Agency expressed low confidence in the long-term impact, saying the strikes may have delayed Iran’s programme by a few months. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear development. Amid regional tensions and stalled U.S.–Iran diplomacy, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, raising concerns over transparency and the fate of future negotiations.

first published: Jul 20, 2025 11:55 pm