At the NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Donald Trump declared again that U.S.-Israeli strikes had achieved the “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear program, contradicting early intelligence reports suggesting the damage may be temporary.
Trump dismissed Pentagon findings that Iran may have moved enriched uranium before the June 22 attacks, saying the operation acted fast enough to prevent such measures. He maintained the program is “gone for years.”
Mixed Signals from Israeli Sources on Nuclear Facility Damage
Israeli officials offered conflicting accounts of the airstrikes’ impact, especially on the Fordo enrichment facility. While some sources said the damage was underwhelming, another Israeli official insisted the site was “damaged beyond repair,” citing intelligence from human and cyber sources inside Iran. The source denied that enriched uranium was removed before the attack, claiming it was buried under rubble.
US Embassy in Jerusalem Resumes Operations Amid Ceasefire
With a ceasefire between Israel and Iran appearing to hold, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem lifted a shelter-in-place order for its personnel and resumed normal operations. Officials urged continued caution, especially amid the possibility of sudden rocket or drone attacks.
Trump Defends Airstrikes on Social Media
Trump took to social media to condemn news reports questioning the effectiveness of the Iran strikes, calling the mission “one of the most successful military strikes in history.” Intelligence assessments, however, continue to suggest Iran’s program may only be set back a few months.
Special Envoy Slams Leak of Strike Report
Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff labeled the leak of preliminary intelligence as “treasonous” and emphasized that the ceasefire was holding. He rejected the idea that Iran could quickly resume enrichment, saying it was “not even conceivable.”
Satellite Images Reveal Surface Damage to Nuclear Sites
Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies shows damage at Fordo and Isfahan nuclear facilities, including cratered roads and bombed tunnel entrances. However, analysts noted these visuals don’t confirm destruction of underground structures critical to Iran’s program.
Senators Review Classified Report on Strike Damage
Key U.S. senators reviewed a classified report assessing the nuclear strikes. Lawmakers withheld details but raised concerns over whether Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles were truly destroyed. Some questioned the feasibility of penetrating Iran’s hardened underground sites.
IAEA Confirms Iran Nuclear Setback, But Duration Unclear
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been “significantly” set back but could not confirm for how long. He stressed that without resumed inspections, it remains unclear where Iran’s enriched uranium is now located.
Two Holocaust Survivors Killed in Iranian Strikes on Israel
Two Holocaust survivors, aged 94 and 95, were killed during Iranian missile strikes on Israeli cities before the ceasefire. About 20 more survivors were displaced after missiles damaged their homes, according to Israeli authorities.
Initial Intelligence: Iran Nuclear Program Only Set Back Months
Early intelligence reviewed by ABC News indicated the U.S. strikes damaged above-ground infrastructure but failed to destroy enriched uranium or most centrifuges. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintained the mission’s success, the findings suggest Iran’s capabilities may recover sooner than claimed.