US Strikes Crush Iran's Nuclear Program, Set Back Years: Israeli Report

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. has delivered a staggering blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions, with an Israeli assessment declaring that the strikes have set back Tehran's program by many years. According to the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, the U.S. attack demolished critical infrastructure at the Fordow nuclear facility, leaving the enrichment site effectively inoperable. This isn't just a dent—it's a knockout punch to Iran's nuclear aspirations, at least for now.

The strikes, executed in the early hours of June 22, targeted key facilities including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. U.S. B-2 stealth bombers unleashed 30,000-pound bunker busters on Fordow, Iran’s primary underground enrichment hub. Israel didn’t sit on the sidelines either, following up with strikes on Monday targeting access roads to the facility, further crippling operations. The message is clear: this site is off-limits.

Iranian officials have admitted the damage is severe. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed the nuclear installations took a heavy hit, while Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, is scrambling to assess the wreckage and restore functionality. Yet, with both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issuing stern warnings against rebuilding, Iran faces a steep uphill battle.

The Israeli assessment underscores a critical point: Iran’s nuclear weapon development could be delayed indefinitely—provided they’re denied access to nuclear material. Meanwhile, Israel’s broader strikes, including on the notorious Evin prison and Iranian military command centers, signal a relentless push to weaken the regime’s military might. This is more than a tactical strike; it’s a strategic unraveling of Iran’s power play in the region.