Despite the setback, Western intelligence agencies remain cautious, avoiding declarations of complete success and instead emphasizing the temporary halt to Iran’s nuclear advancements.
President Donald Trump confirmed that Iran was unable to relocate any enriched uranium from the Fordow nuclear site before U.S. airstrikes, reinforcing claims by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the operation targeting three nuclear facilities was a strategic success.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that “nothing was removed from the facility,” describing the materials as too heavy and the operation too dangerous. He added that satellite images showing vehicles near the site were misinterpreted, claiming they were part of efforts to seal off the area with cement before the strike.
On Sunday, U.S. B-2 bombers dropped GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on two Iranian nuclear sites, while Tomahawk missiles were launched from a submarine at a third location. According to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, the strikes caused severe damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and will delay its program for years.
Despite U.S. claims, a classified document leaked to CNN suggests the attacks may have only set the program back by a few months. This discrepancy drew Trump’s ire, prompting a Defense Department briefing to defend the operation’s success.
European intelligence assessments, cited by the Financial Times, suggest that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile — approximately 408 kilograms at 60% purity — was not stored at Fordow during the strike.
Satellite images showed heightened activity at the site shortly before the attack, fueling speculation that materials may have been moved.
Iran later admitted its facilities were damaged during the 12-day conflict with Israel and the U.S., though officials did not confirm the loss of uranium.
Experts and Iranian sources indicated that some of the stockpile may have been relocated to unknown sites before the raid.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, believe diplomatic negotiations may be the only path forward in addressing the remaining stockpile.
President Trump announced that a new round of talks with Iran will begin “next week,” amid growing speculation over the fate of the nuclear program.
According to the Israel Atomic Energy Commission, the Fordow site was rendered inoperable by the strike, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been set back by several years.
Israeli media reports suggest the country’s missile development program was also disrupted by recent strikes.
Despite the setback, Western intelligence agencies remain cautious, avoiding declarations of complete success and instead emphasizing the temporary halt to Iran’s nuclear advancements.
