Pentagon: US strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by 1–2 years
The June 21–22 operation targeted key Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
(JNS) The U.S. military’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have delayed the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program by up to two years, according to a new Pentagon assessment.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told reporters Wednesday that intelligence assessments continue to confirm the significant damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “We have degraded their program by at least one to two years—intel assessments inside the [Defense] Department assess that…. I think we’re probably closer to two years,” Parnell stated.
The June 21–22 operation, described by defense officials as the largest B-2 stealth bomber mission in U.S. history, targeted key Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. The strike involved seven B-2 bombers, more than 125 aircraft, Tomahawk cruise missiles and 14 bunker-buster bombs.
“Our assessment of the battle damage around Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan remains unchanged—we believe, and certainly all the intelligence we’ve seen leads us to believe, that Iran’s facilities, especially those, have been completely obliterated,” said Parnell.
He emphasized that the attack not only destroyed uranium enrichment equipment but also “the components they would need to build a bomb.” Parnell added, “We believe that sending bombers from Missouri on a 37-hour mission, with not a single shot fired at them, dealt a very strong psychological blow to Iranian leadership.”
Parnell suggested the operation may have affected not only Iran’s physical capabilities but also its intentions, saying, “We believe that Iran’s nuclear capability has been severely degraded — perhaps even their ambition to build a bomb.”
“American action in Iran has set the conditions for global stability,” he continued, adding, “Nations all around the world know that when America is strong and speaks clearly, the world is a better and more stable place.”
Pentagon officials said damage assessments are ongoing and that further updates will be provided as intelligence is refined. PJC
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