The CIA director has indicated that a “body of credible intelligence” shows Iran’s nuclear program was “significantly impaired” due to a US operation last weekend.
Director John Ratcliffe stated that insights from a “historically reliable and accurate source” point to the destruction of several crucial sites, which will likely take years to restore.
This information stands in stark contrast to a recently leaked report from the US Defence Intelligence Agency, which cast doubt on the success of Operation Midnight Hammer.
An assessment shared by multiple media organizations suggested that the bombings of three nuclear facilities might only delay Iran’s capabilities by a few months.
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CIA director John Ratcliffe. Pic: Reuters
Donald Trump has vehemently rejected this leak, labeling it “fake news” and asserting that the military’s objectives were “completely obliterated.”
He remarked, “This was a devastating attack that left them reeling.”
The US president later announced that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will hold a “major news conference” later today that promises to be “compelling and irrefutable.”
On Truth Social, he noted that the “Great American Pilots” involved in the mission were “very upset” about the leaked report.
“After 36 hours of dangerously flying through Enemy Territory, they landed knowing the Success was LEGENDARY, and then two days later, they started seeing Fake News from CNN and The Failing New York Times,” he wrote.
The White House has pointed to an Israeli statement indicating that Tehran’s nuclear efforts have been postponed by a few years, with Iran’s foreign ministry confirming substantial damage to the facilities.
Nonetheless, drawing reliable conclusions on the effects of the bunker buster bombs remains challenging, especially just days after the incidents.
Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation professor at the Middlebury Institute, commented, “If it’s too soon to know, why is Trump claiming it’s obliterated? Either it’s too early to assess or you know.”
Read more:
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Why did US attack avoid some nuclear sites?
Mapping the strikes in Israel and Iran
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0:21
In other news, Mr. Trump has confirmed that the US will engage in talks with Iran next week.
However, he expressed skepticism about the necessity of an agreement to limit its nuclear program, believing Iran’s facilities are now too severely damaged.
“They’re not going to be pursuing it anyway. They’ve had it,” he claimed.
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4:06
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran has persisted for a second day, with tranquility returning to the skies over major cities overnight.
The president joined world leaders at a NATO summit in The Hague yesterday, where members reached an agreement to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP.