U.S. Airstrikes Severely Damage Iran’s Nuclear Facilities, But Two Sites Remain Partially Operational, Officials Say

The Fordo nuclear site on June 22 after the U.S. attack

One of Iran’s three main nuclear enrichment sites was largely destroyed in last month’s U.S. airstrikes, significantly setting back the country’s nuclear program, according to a recent intelligence assessment reviewed by U.S. officials. However, the two other targeted facilities sustained less damage and could resume uranium enrichment within months if Tehran chooses to do so, according to five current and former American officials familiar with the findings.

The assessment—part of the Trump administration’s broader analysis of Iran’s nuclear capacity following the strikes—was shared with members of Congress, the Pentagon, and allied governments in recent briefings.

The U.S. Central Command had initially crafted a far more extensive campaign against Iran, which would have included airstrikes on three additional sites over several weeks. However, President Donald Trump ultimately rejected the broader plan, citing his foreign policy principle of reducing U.S. entanglements abroad and concerns over potential high casualties.

The Fordo fuel enrichment site on June 20 and on June 22 after U.S. airstrikes

“We were willing to go all the way in our options, but the president did not want to,” one official familiar with the planning stated.

Following the operation, which was dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, President Trump hailed the mission as a “spectacular military success,” claiming Iran’s enrichment capabilities had been “completely and totally obliterated.”

However, a more detailed intelligence review has presented a mixed picture. While Fordo—an underground facility seen as vital to Iran’s nuclear ambitions—was reportedly set back by as much as two years, the sites at Natanz and Isfahan appear to have retained partial functionality. Enrichment at those locations could resume within months.

The Isfahan nuclear enrichment facility in central Iran on June 16 and on June 22 after U.S. strikes

Fordo was specifically targeted with 30,000-pound GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs designed to penetrate the fortified mountain facility. In contrast, Isfahan was only hit with Tomahawk missiles, and while Natanz was struck with GBU-57s, Iran had already begun digging deeper tunnels potentially beyond the reach of such munitions.

The Pentagon had been aware of the limitations of even its most powerful bombs, and U.S. officials acknowledged that some structures and enriched uranium reserves were likely untouched. Despite this, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told lawmakers in a classified briefing that key nuclear infrastructure—particularly the metal conversion plant at Natanz—was “completely destroyed,” requiring years to rebuild. He also noted that most of the enriched uranium at Fordo and Isfahan was buried and likely inaccessible.

Israeli intelligence agrees that Iran’s nuclear program has been significantly delayed—by up to two years—but believes that some enriched uranium remains buried beneath Isfahan. However, Israeli officials consider the material unreachable and have warned they will strike again if Iran attempts recovery.

Satellite views show the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, about 135 miles southeast of Tehran, on Jan. 14 and on June 14, after Israeli airstrikes destroyed multiple buildings

U.S. and Israeli leaders are now weighing whether follow-up airstrikes on Natanz and Isfahan will be needed if Tehran refuses to return to nuclear deal negotiations or attempts reconstruction of its facilities. While Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, the U.S. intelligence community maintains that the current level of destruction poses a significant setback to any potential weapons development.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated, “Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities. America and the world are safer thanks to President Trump’s decisive action.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed the sentiment, calling the strikes a “significant blow” to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and mocking critics by saying, “The credibility of the Fake News Media is similar to the current state of the Iranian nuclear facilities: destroyed, in the dirt, and will take years to recover.”

Before the strikes, U.S. and U.N. assessments indicated that Iran had amassed enough fissile material to build approximately nine to ten nuclear bombs. This followed Iran’s defiance of enrichment restrictions after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal—known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—in 2018. Trump has since sought a tougher agreement that permanently blocks Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but indirect talks had stalled before Israel's preemptive airstrikes and the subsequent U.S. follow-up mission.

General Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, had earlier developed a six-target strike plan aimed at fully dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities and disabling its missile and air defense systems. However, the White House ultimately opted for a limited engagement to avoid escalating into prolonged conflict.

American officials believe Iran’s air defense network is now effectively dismantled, leaving Tehran vulnerable to any future strikes.

“It was made clear that Iran no longer has any more [air defenses], so the idea that they can easily rebuild anything is ludicrous,” a White House official said.

Despite the partial survival of some facilities, Republican advocates argue that the strikes have fundamentally altered Iran’s nuclear strategy. The regime now faces the ongoing threat of renewed attacks should it resume uranium enrichment.

Asked whether he would consider striking Iran again, Trump said: “Sure. Without question. Absolutely.”