At the recent NATO summit in The Hague, President Donald Trump delivered a forceful defense of the U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, directly disputing the Pentagon’s initial assessment that the damage was limited. Trump insisted the attacks had “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program—despite a classified Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report suggesting the setback may only last a few months.
🔥 Trump Rejects Doubts: “This Was Devastating”
Trump ridiculed the Pentagon’s early analysis as “fake” and “premature,” claiming it disrespected the military’s performance.
“They were obliterated,” Trump said. “I’ve seen the footage. They’re gone. It was a devastating attack. Some people even said it looked like Hiroshima.”
He emphasized that on-the-ground observers had confirmed catastrophic damage to key facilities like Natanz and Fordow. Trump also accused the media of downplaying the strike’s success in an effort to diminish what he calls one of the most successful military operations in decades.
📉 Pentagon and DIA Offer Cautious Assessment
According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, the airstrikes—while destructive—likely only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months. The report, labeled low confidence, suggested that Iran had moved vital centrifuge components and uranium stockpiles before the strikes. Some underground facilities may have survived intact.
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Gen. Dan Caine, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, described the damage as “extremely severe” but stopped short of saying the program was neutralized.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, aligning with Trump, called the operation a “historic military success” and said critics were “out of touch with battlefield reality.”
🕵️♂️ Israel, Iran, and Independent Experts Weigh In
Israeli defense officials sided with Trump’s assessment, claiming the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear progress by 1–2 years. They cited intelligence gathered before and after the operation showing widespread structural damage and loss of key infrastructure.
Iran’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, admitted some facilities were “badly damaged,” but denied the program was destroyed. Tehran insists uranium enrichment continues and that it has the technical capability to rebuild quickly.
⚠️ A Clash of Narratives
This growing divide between the White House and the intelligence community highlights a deeper tension over how military success is defined—and communicated to the public.
| Source | Claim |
|---|---|
| Trump & allies | Sites “obliterated,” years of setback |
| Pentagon (DIA) | Program delayed months, limited physical loss |
| Israel | 1–2 years delay, major destruction |
| Iran | Damage admitted, but operations ongoing |
| Experts / IAEA | Long-term impact unclear, access restricted |
🔍 What Happens Next?
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Full Pentagon damage report expected in the coming weeks
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Congressional hearings may probe the discrepancy between Trump’s claims and DIA findings
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IAEA inspections remain limited, leaving the true status of Iran’s capabilities uncertain
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Diplomatic talks with Iran could hinge on perceived strike effectiveness
