The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has assessed that Iran's nuclear facilities suffered significant damage due to the recent Israeli and American strikes, potentially setting Tehran’s nuclear ambitions back by several years.
IDF Chief Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin shared the assessment during a press briefing on Wednesday, June 25, while emphasizing that it’s still early and a full evaluation is ongoing.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump described the attacks as causing “total obliteration” of Iran's nuclear sites. He rejected initial American intelligence reports that suggested some core elements of Iran's nuclear infrastructure had survived.
In contrast, Iran downplayed the damage, reiterating that it will not abandon its nuclear program. Iranian officials continue to deny any intention to build a nuclear bomb, insisting the program is purely for civilian energy purposes.
However, international observers note that Iran had maintained stockpiles of highly enriched uranium — levels close to those required for weaponization, and far exceeding the requirements for civilian nuclear energy.