Iran's Nuclear Program Set Back Months, Not Obliterated, Contradicting Trump's Claims

WASHINGTON – An initial assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency indicates that recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear enrichment sites have set back the country's nuclear program by an estimated three to six months. This assessment appears to contradict previous claims made by President Donald Trump and his allies, who stated that Iran's nuclear capabilities had been "completely and totally obliterated" following the attacks. According to intelligence sources, the damage incurred during the strikes may not have affected core elements of Iran's nuclear program. Furthermore, the entire stockpile of enriched uranium may not have been destroyed. The Director General of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog has also stated that no agency, including his own, was in a position to fully assess the underground damage to the hit facilities. Despite these intelligence reports, the White House has strongly refuted the media's findings, calling them "flat-out wrong." Meanwhile, the highest-ranking U.S. military officer has adopted a more conservative tone when discussing the impact of the strikes, emphasizing that while initial assessments indicate severe damage and destruction to all three sites, the final battle damage assessment will take more time to complete.