U.S. Airstrikes Cripple Iran’s Nuclear Program, Delaying It by Years, Pentagon Claims

Last month’s U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have set Tehran’s atomic ambitions back by up to two years, according to the Pentagon. The "bunker busting" bombs obliterated key sites at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, delivering a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear program. Defense Department spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters, "We’ve degraded their program by one to two years, at least." He added that the strikes may have even dented Iran’s drive to build a bomb, though experts caution Tehran’s resolve remains unshaken.

The June 22 strikes have proven more effective than initially thought. Early estimates downplayed the damage, but Parnell’s latest assessment paints a picture of near-total destruction, particularly at Fordo. "All intelligence suggests those facilities have been completely obliterated," he said. Yet, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi admitted to CBS that while Fordo suffered "serious and heavy damage," the know-how to rebuild persists.

Concerns linger about Iran’s next moves. Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, warned that Tehran could resume uranium enrichment within months. Reports also suggest Iran may have spirited away near-weapons-grade uranium or centrifuges before the strikes, with satellite images showing unusual truck activity at Fordo. The U.S. vehemently denies these claims, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth bristling at the suggestion. Meanwhile, Israel keeps a watchful eye on the region, as Iran grapples with the wreckage of its nuclear dreams.