During a recent Pentagon briefing, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine discussed the effectiveness of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, asserting that these military actions significantly impacted Tehran’s atomic ambitions. They sought to shift the narrative from the degree of destruction inflicted on these sites to a focus on the operational success and meticulous planning behind the strikes.
Hegseth claimed the strikes achieved historical success, regardless of the specific terminology used to describe the outcomes. This briefing comes in the context of President Trump’s ongoing efforts to showcase the strikes as a critical facet of his presidency, particularly amid tensions between Israel and Iran.
However, details surrounding Iran’s remaining enriched uranium have been scarce. Hegseth expressed uncertainty about whether Iran was able to relocate its enriched materials prior to the U.S. attack. He stated that while the Pentagon continues to evaluate intelligence, he has no information indicating that nuclear materials were moved before the strikes. Conversely, experts noted the challenges in tracking such materials, as small canisters of enriched uranium can be easily concealed.
The U.S. airstrikes, executed by stealth bombers, dropped a total of 14 deep-penetration bombs on key facilities, primarily targeting the Fordo and Natanz sites. Hegseth and Caine highlighted the extensive preparatory work that went into the operation, which included a demonstration of “bunker buster” munitions designed to breach fortified structures. They pointed out that Iran made efforts to protect its facilities by placing concrete over ventilation shafts prior to the bombings.
While the statement from the Defence Intelligence Agency indicated that the strikes caused significant damage, it also suggested that the Iranian nuclear programme may only have been delayed rather than entirely dismantled. In response, Hegseth disparaged the media’s focus on preliminary assessments that highlighted gaps in intelligence, suggesting that such stories aimed to undermine Trump’s position.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not yet been able to evaluate the extent of the damage at the Fordo facility thoroughly; however, its chief confirmed that the site’s centrifuges are no longer operational. Trump, buoyed by Hegseth’s performance in the briefing, praised the event on social media, claiming it was one of the most professional he had witnessed.
Overall, while the Pentagon leaders presented a strong narrative regarding the success of the airstrikes, the situation remains fluid, and precise assessments of Iran’s nuclear capabilities continue to be uncertain.