Israel Claims Major Setback to Iran's Nuclear Program Following US Strikes

Significant Damage Reported at Iran's Fordow Nuclear Site

In an unprecedented move, the White House shared a statement from the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) regarding damage inflicted on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility. This announcement coincided with varying reports about the impact of a recent US military strike.

The IAEC declared, “The US attack on Fordow has devastated the site's essential infrastructure, rendering the enrichment facility non-operational. We believe that the combination of American strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and Israeli operations against other aspects of Iran's military nuclear agenda has significantly delayed Iran's nuclear weapon development by several years.”

Furthermore, the statement emphasized, “This progress can be maintained indefinitely if Iran is denied access to nuclear materials.”

Earlier, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces, informed the media, “Our assessment indicates that we have inflicted substantial damage on the nuclear program, effectively setting it back by years.”

The US targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan during strikes on Saturday night. Fordow, known for its uranium enrichment, is fortified and deep underground, making it resistant to most conventional munitions. The US deployed 'bunker buster' bombs, weighing 30,000 pounds, which are believed to be the only munitions capable of breaching the facility. Only US aircraft can carry these specialized bombs.

President Donald Trump asserted that Fordow had been completely destroyed. While attending the NATO summit in The Hague, he stated, “Fordow has been obliterated.”

Trump added, “Israeli personnel inspected Fordow post-strike and confirmed total destruction,” although Israeli officials refuted claims of having operatives on the ground there.

On June 13, Israel initiated preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, citing intelligence that Iran had reached a critical juncture in its nuclear ambitions. Israeli defense officials reported that Iran had acquired the capability to swiftly enrich uranium and construct nuclear weapons, with enough fissile material for up to 15 bombs.

Israeli intelligence also revealed a secret program aimed at completing all components necessary for a nuclear device. These strikes represent a significant escalation in what officials describe as a broader Iranian strategy that includes nuclear advancement, missile proliferation, and proxy warfare targeting Israel.

A ceasefire brokered by the US took effect on Tuesday, following 12 days of conflict that resulted in 28 Israeli fatalities and over 3,000 injuries from Iranian missile attacks.