Payam Javan: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced on Wednesday that new intelligence confirms U.S. airstrikes have destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan, countering earlier reports suggesting the strikes had limited impact. Gabbard stated that rebuilding these facilities would take Iran years, aligning with President Donald Trump’s claims of a significant setback to Iran’s nuclear program. This follows a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, reported by CNN and others, which claimed the strikes only delayed Iran’s nuclear capabilities by months, prompting accusations of media misrepresentation from Gabbard and Trump administration officials.

The U.S. operation involved 125 military aircraft and 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs targeting the underground facilities, with additional Tomahawk missiles striking Esfahan. CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported Gabbard’s claims, stating the strikes “severely damaged” Iran’s nuclear program, citing reliable intelligence. However, conflicting reports and a Pentagon investigation into leaked assessments highlight ongoing debates about the strikes’ effectiveness, with some experts noting that Iran may have moved enriched uranium prior to the attacks, complicating damage assessments.