Iran-Israel: Secret report contradicts Trump on effectiveness of U.S. strikes
Donald Trump is under renewed scrutiny following the emergence of a U.S. intelligence report questioning the effectiveness of recent airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear program. Revealed by several American media outlets on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the classified document states that the U.S.-led bombings failed to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities—contrary to claims made by the U.S. president.
The strikes, carried out overnight from Saturday to Sunday on sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, according to the preliminary report. The underground facilities were not destroyed; only some access points were sealed off, leaving most equipment—including centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpiles—intact.
Nevertheless, Donald Trump had declared that he had “completely destroyed” the Islamic Republic’s nuclear infrastructure. Speaking at the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, he added that “the Iranians won’t build a bomb for decades.”
The White House, through spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, acknowledged the authenticity of the report but strongly condemned its leak, calling it “an obvious attempt to discredit the president” and “undermine the work of our pilots who carried out a critical mission”.
Within the U.S. military, the tone was more measured. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, mentioned “significant damage” without confirming full destruction. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, insisted that the strikes had “devastated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Iran responded sharply. The regime stated that its nuclear program remains operational. A senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei confirmed that the enriched uranium stockpiles are still intact and declared that “the game is not over.” Meanwhile, the Israeli military, a close U.S. ally, said it is too early to determine the full impact of the strikes, though it suggested Iran’s nuclear program may have been delayed by several years.
