The bombs dropped. The headlines followed. But the core of Iran’s nuclear program is still breathing. That’s the early read from U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Defense Intelligence Agency, which delivered a classified assessment to the Pentagon this week. The strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were loud. They were not final. The report says the program has been delayed by one to two months. Not dismantled. Not destroyed.
President Trump told the country the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.” That was the word from the White House. But the DIA says the enrichment infrastructure at Fordow remains largely intact. The site is buried under hundreds of feet of rock. The 30,000-pound bunker busters hit the entrances. They did not reach the centrifuges. The uranium stockpile enriched to 60% was moved before the strikes. It is still in Iranian hands.
US INTELLIGENCE: IRAN NUCLEAR STRIKES SET BACK PROGRAMME BY ONLY MONTHS RESEARCHWORLD || PRELIMINARY PENTAGON INTELLIGENCE SUGGESTS US STRIKES DELAYED IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRESS BY JUST 1–2 MONTHS, CONTRADICTING TRUMP’S “OBLITERATED” CLAIM
— First Squawk (@FirstSquawk) June 24, 2025
🚨 BREAKING — via CNN:
Three intel sources confirm the U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites did NOT destroy the core components of the program.
At best? It’s been set back by a few months.
Let’s break this down. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/AAizaI2PQK
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) June 24, 2025
This means:
-Fordow survived
-Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile is still active
-Centrifuge halls underground = likely untouched
-Iran could reach weapons-grade (90%) enrichment within weeks.— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) June 24, 2025
The Pentagon used B-2 stealth bombers. The targets were hit. The damage was real. But the depth of the facilities outmatched the payload. The DIA report, first flagged by CNN and confirmed by CBS and PBS, says the strikes sealed off access points and damaged electrical systems. But the core components survived. The timeline for Iran to resume enrichment is measured in weeks, not years.
Iran has not denied it. Tehran says the program will continue. The ceasefire was signed hours after the strikes. Iran agreed to pause retaliation. Not enrichment. The Fordow site is already being cleared. Repairs are underway. The centrifuges were not touched. The uranium is still viable. The program is not paused. It is regrouping.
The White House pushed back on the intel leaks. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the report “flat-out wrong.” She said the mission was perfectly executed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the bombs “obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.” But the DIA’s own analysts say otherwise. The final battle damage assessment is still being compiled. But the early numbers are not promising.
Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-iran-strikes-set-back-nuclear-program-by-months-intel-assessment