NEW DELHI: Iran has officially acknowledged that several of its nuclear facilities were “badly damaged” in recent U.S. airstrikes, confirming for the first time the scale of destruction caused during the June 22 operation. The statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry described the sites, including Natanz and Fordow, as “significantly impacted,” even as American and Iranian sources offer differing accounts of the aftermath.
The admission comes amid rising tensions following the U.S. strike, which Washington claimed was aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. While President Donald Trump hailed the operation as a “total success,” newly leaked Pentagon documents suggest the damage may only delay Iran’s enrichment activities by a few months, not eliminate them entirely.
Contrary to this, a recent CIA assessment aligns with Tehran’s version, stating that the airstrikes inflicted long-term disruption on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The contradiction between U.S. intelligence agencies has sparked debate in Washington over the true effectiveness of the military action.
In response to the strikes and the ongoing fallout, Iran has suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), complicating international efforts to verify the extent of the damage. This move has triggered concern among global observers, who fear further deterioration in regional stability.
Meanwhile, a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel remains in place, though tensions continue to simmer. The United Nations and IAEA have both called for immediate access to the affected facilities to ensure transparency and prevent further escalation.
As both sides trade claims and counterclaims, global attention is now focused on how the situation evolves — diplomatically and on the ground — in the coming days.
