WASHINGTON — In a classified briefing to U.S. lawmakers, CIA Director John Ratcliffe asserted that recent American military strikes have significantly set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The strikes reportedly destroyed Iran’s only metal conversion facility, a critical component in the nuclear weapons development process, potentially delaying Tehran’s nuclear program by years.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump and his administration face scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers regarding the effectiveness of the strikes, which occurred prior to last Tuesday’s ceasefire with Israel. Trump, in an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” emphasized the impact of the strikes, stating, “It was obliterating like nobody’s ever seen before. And that meant the end to their nuclear ambitions, at least for a period of time.”
Impact on Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities
During the briefing, Ratcliffe informed lawmakers that the majority of Iran’s enriched uranium remains buried under the rubble at key facilities targeted by U.S. strikes, including Isfahan and Fordo. Despite this, the destruction of the metal conversion facility, crucial for transforming enriched uranium gas into dense metal for bomb cores, has significantly hindered Iran’s ability to build a nuclear weapon.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that while significant damage was inflicted on Iran’s nuclear sites, some capabilities remain intact. “Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared, and there is nothing there,” Grossi stated, highlighting the necessity for inspectors to assess the full extent of the damage.
Reactions and Strategic Implications
Trump’s defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, echoed the sentiment of significant damage, although a preliminary report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency noted that the facilities were not completely destroyed. Israeli officials, however, assert that the strikes have set back Iran’s nuclear program by several years.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO summit, underscored the importance of the metal conversion facility’s destruction. “You can’t do a nuclear weapon without a conversion facility,” Rubio remarked, emphasizing the facility’s obliteration.
The CIA director also highlighted that Iran’s air defense capabilities were severely compromised during the 12-day assault, leaving Iran vulnerable to future Israeli strikes. This vulnerability could further deter Tehran from attempting to rebuild its nuclear program.
Expert Opinions and Future Prospects
While the strikes have undeniably affected Iran’s nuclear capabilities, experts like Grossi warn that Iran still possesses the technical knowledge to restart its program. “You cannot undo the knowledge that you have or the capacities that you have,” Grossi noted, advocating for diplomatic solutions to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israeli assessments align with the U.S. findings, suggesting that Iran’s ability to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels has been neutralized for the foreseeable future. The strikes also reportedly resulted in the loss of key Iranian scientists and damage to Iran’s missile production industry.
Despite these setbacks, the international community remains cautious. The potential for Iran to resume its nuclear activities persists, underscoring the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
The situation continues to evolve as both the U.S. and Israel monitor Iran’s response and strategize future actions to ensure regional stability and prevent nuclear proliferation.
