Pentagon: US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites May Have Delayed Program by Up to Two Years

US defense officials now believe that recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure have potentially delayed Tehran’s atomic weapons ambitions by as much as two years, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

“We have degraded their program by one to two years at least — intel assessments inside the (Defense) Department assess that,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. He added, “We’re thinking probably closer to two years.”

Last month, American B-2 bombers dropped GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs on two key Iranian nuclear sites, while a US Navy guided missile submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at a third facility.

Israel initiated the wider military campaign on June 13, targeting Iranian nuclear installations, senior scientists, and military leadership.

Although President Donald Trump had explored diplomatic alternatives to revive or replace the Iran nuclear deal, scrapped during his first term, he ultimately opted for military action.

The US strike involved more than 125 aircraft, including stealth bombers, fighter jets, aerial tankers, and a missile submarine, in what analysts have called one of the most extensive American air operations in years.

Parnell echoed earlier remarks from Trump, saying, “All of the intelligence that we’ve seen (has) led us to believe that Iran’s — those facilities especially, have been completely obliterated.”

While such assessments typically take time to verify, early conclusions suggest that the strikes delivered a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

However, doubts remain. Over the weekend, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi warned that Iran might resume producing enriched uranium within a matter of months. Some experts believe Iran may have relocated stockpiles of near-weapons-grade uranium before the strikes, possibly hiding them from inspectors.

Still, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated he was not aware of any intelligence confirming that Iran had hidden highly enriched uranium to shield it from the attacks.

Initial assessments from the Defense Intelligence Agency had suggested the damage might only set Iran’s program back by a few months. However, Trump administration officials dismissed that analysis as outdated and low-confidence, citing newer intelligence pointing to far greater destruction.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi acknowledged that the Fordow facility sustained heavy damage.

“No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged,” he told CBS News. Nevertheless, he emphasized that “the technology and knowhow is still there.”

Pressed on whether Tehran would resume enrichment activities, Araqchi said the government was still evaluating the situation. “We are in the process of assessments… and developing our policies,” he said. “We have also gone through 12 days of imposed war in addition to all that we have done for this nuclear program. Therefore, people will not easily back down from enrichment.”

Both Israel and the US have framed the strikes as a necessary move to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to significantly degrade its long-range missile capabilities.

Despite its denials, Iran has enriched uranium to 60% purity, well above civilian needs and just below weapons-grade, and has repeatedly blocked international inspections.

Israeli intelligence reportedly indicates that Iran was actively working to develop a nuclear weapon, and Israeli officials have warned they are prepared to take further action should Tehran attempt to rebuild its weapons or missile programs.