Iran’s nuclear capabilities crushed, but regime’s desire for the bomb may persist

Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had bombed Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, stating they were “obliterated.” He emphasized that the combined U.S. and Israeli attacks caused “monumental damage to all nuclear sites in Iran.”

Supporting this, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mentioned in a briefing that the “CIA can confirm that credible intelligence shows Iran’s nuclear program has been significantly impaired by the recent targeted strikes.”

Israeli intelligence sources informed Fox News Digital that the attacks on Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan caused significant and possibly irreversible harm to Iran’s known enrichment capabilities. “We struck at the core of their capabilities,” one official stated. 

donald trump looking concerned on White House lawn

President Donald Trump arrives at the White House on June 9, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)

But despite the overwhelming success of the mission, questions remain about what survived – and what might come next. Analysts warn that while Iran’s declared facilities have been largely destroyed, covert elements of the program may still exist, and enriched uranium stockpiles could resurface.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi said in an interview with CBS on Saturday that although “it’s clear that what happened in particular in Fordow, Natanz, [and] Isfahan—where Iran used to have, and still has to some degree, capabilities in terms of treatment, conversion, and enrichment of uranium—has been destroyed to an important degree,” the threat remains. 

Satellite view of Fordow enrichment facility

Maxar Technologies imagery taken on June 29, 2025,

According to the ISIS report, “extensive damage” was confirmed at nearly all major Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, including the destruction of uranium metal conversion plants, fuel fabrication centers, and the IR-40 Arak heavy water reactor. The report noted that the Israeli and U.S. strikes “rendered the Fordow site inoperable,” citing high-resolution satellite imagery of deep bunker penetrations.

Israeli fighter jet

An Israeli fighter jet takes off for strikes in Tehran. (IDF)

Rabinowitz also emphasized that the intelligence picture is still developing in real time. “The Israelis and the Americans are now hard at work to generate the most accurate intelligence picture they can,” she said. “Without having my own sources in the Mossad, I can guarantee the Israelis are monitoring internal Iranian communications, trying to figure out what the Iranians have figured out. As they learn more, so will Israel and the U.S.”

As debate continues over whether the strikes were enough to permanently disable Iran’s nuclear ambitions, analysts agree on one point: Iran’s assumption that it could push forward without consequence is gone.

During a press conference on Friday. Trump was asked if he would bomb Iran’s nuclear program again if it was restarted. He told reporters, “Sure without question.”

You May Also Like
Chicago, Illinois weather forecast: Tornado Watch issued for parts of Chicago area | Radar

Chicago Weather Alert: Tornado Watch Issued Across Parts of the Chicago Area — Live Radar Updates

Severe weather is expected to impact the Chicago area on Wednesday, with…
Alex Murdaugh's lawyer vows to dismantle infamous kennel video as defense weighs another turn on the stand

Alex Murdaugh Lawyer Targets Key Kennel Video as Defense Considers Another Testimony Twist

Alex Murdaugh’s legal team says it is prepared to confront the key…
Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady amid resurgent inflation

Fed Holds Interest Rates Steady as Inflation Pressures Reemerge

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday as…
Austin Metcalf’s dad supported Karmelo Anthony judge’s hard line on cameras

Austin Metcalf’s Father Backs Judge’s Tough Stance on Cameras in Karmelo Anthony Case

FRISCO, Texas — Jeff Metcalf, the father of Austin Metcalf, said he…
Coast Guard opens fire on boat smuggling 25 Chinese nationals near Florida after it refused to stop

US Coast Guard Fires on Smuggling Boat Carrying 25 Chinese Migrants Off Florida After Pursuit

The U.S. Coast Guard fired on a boat off the Florida coast…
Lansing news: Former employee Devon Johnson charged in deadly shooting of Andrew Coleman at Nippon Paint Automotive Americas

Lansing: Former Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Employee Devon Johnson Charged in Fatal Shooting of Andrew Coleman

LANSING, Ill. (WLS) — A former employee has been charged with murder…
Finland's parliament votes to lift decades-old ban on nuclear weapons in historic NATO defense shift

Finland Lifts Decades-Old Nuclear Weapons Ban in Historic NATO Defense Policy Shift

Finland pushes to join NATO quickly Finnish Ambassador to the U.S. Mikko…
Streator, Illinois City Council approves emergency declaration as tornado recovery continues

Streator City Council Approves Emergency Declaration as Tornado Recovery Efforts Continue

Streator city leaders have unanimously approved an emergency declaration as the community…
LaGuardia shuts down runway for second time in weeks after pavement issue resurfaces

LaGuardia Closes Runway Again as Recurring Pavement Problem Disrupts Flights

Sinkhole at LaGuardia Airport forces runway shutdown amidst busy holiday travel A…
Social Security recipients face looming benefit cuts. Can the program be saved?

Social Security Benefit Cuts Loom: Can Congress Save the Program in Time?

Social Security is heading toward a major financial deadline: its trust fund…
Austin tech leader Joshua Baer identified as victim of Texas plane crash after jet caught fire along highway

Austin Tech Leader Joshua Baer Killed in Texas Plane Crash After Jet Catches Fire on Highway

Joshua Baer, founder of Capital Factory and one of Austin’s most prominent…
Gilgo Beach serial killer joins infamous group of monsters as he opens ghoulish mind to FBI

Judge gives Rex Heuermann maximum sentence in Gilgo Beach serial killings case

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — Rex Heuermann, the Long Island serial killer who confessed…