US Strikes Cause Major Setback to Iran’s Nuclear Program, Say Intelligence Officials – Conflicting Assessments Emerge
WASHINGTON: The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has reportedly received new intelligence indicating that recent US military strikes caused significant damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, potentially delaying its nuclear ambitions by years.
In a statement released Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe cited intelligence from what he described as a “historically reliable and accurate source,” revealing that key Iranian nuclear infrastructure was destroyed and would need to be fully rebuilt.
Conflicting Intelligence Within US Agencies
However, Ratcliffe’s assertion has been met with differing views from other intelligence branches. A Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment suggested that while damage was done, Iran’s nuclear program would likely only face delays of several months — not years.
Adding to the debate, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard posted on X (formerly Twitter) that updated intelligence confirmed severe destruction of Iranian nuclear infrastructure, including the Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan facilities.
President Trump: “The Damage Was Severe”
Speaking at a NATO summit, President Donald Trump compared the scale of the strikes to the impact of World War II-era events, suggesting the mission had effectively ended tensions between Iran and Israel.
He acknowledged that available intelligence reports were not entirely conclusive but insisted the outcome was a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Political and Strategic Implications
The success of the strikes carries major political weight for the Trump administration, particularly as critics had raised concerns about possible inconsistencies with Trump’s “America First” foreign policy approach.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also addressed the media, pushing back against reports based on the DIA’s preliminary assessment. Hegseth claimed that the report was “low-confidence” and “leaked,” with the FBI reportedly investigating the source of the disclosure.
Rubio echoed those concerns, saying, “This is the game they play,” referring to how information may have been shared or interpreted.
International Reaction and Future Talks
At the same summit, NATO member states pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, a move the US administration celebrated as a major diplomatic success.
President Trump concluded his remarks by referencing a statement from the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, which estimated that Iran’s nuclear development had been set back “by many years.”
He also revealed that US officials would be meeting with Iranian counterparts next week to discuss future plans related to nuclear non-proliferation, though he doubted Tehran would attempt to restart its nuclear efforts anytime soon.
Background: Iran’s nuclear program has long been a point of global concern, with world powers divided on how best to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Recent military developments mark a turning point, though the full impact remains a subject of intense debate within the US intelligence community.
