Pentagon Confirms U.S. Strikes Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Up to Two Years
Washington, July 2, 2025 — The Pentagon has announced that recent U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have significantly degraded Tehran’s atomic capabilities, potentially delaying its nuclear program by up to two years. The assessment, based on evolving intelligence reports, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell delivered the update during a press briefing, stating that the strikes—carried out on June 22—targeted three major nuclear sites and were executed with precision using advanced bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles. “We have degraded their program by one to two years, at least intel assessments inside the Department assess that,” Parnell said.
Strategic Targets and Military Execution
The operation involved American B-2 stealth bombers and a guided missile submarine, which struck the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, Natanz, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Center. These sites are considered critical to Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts and overall nuclear infrastructure.
Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies revealed extensive damage to tunnel entrances and key components at the Fordow site. The strikes were reportedly coordinated with Israeli intelligence, which had previously launched its own air campaign targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and military officials.
According to defense analysts, the use of GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs—each weighing over 13,600 kilograms—was instrumental in penetrating Iran’s deeply buried facilities. The Pentagon confirmed that more than 125 aircraft participated in the operation, including aerial refueling tankers and fighter escorts.
Intelligence Assessments and Uncertainty
While the Pentagon’s current estimate suggests a setback of up to two years, officials cautioned that the full extent of the damage remains under review. Early assessments from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) had suggested a delay of only several months, but those reports were labeled “low confidence” and have since been revise.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe echoed the Pentagon’s findings, stating that a “body of credible intelligence” supports the conclusion that Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been severely disrupted. However, he acknowledged that Iran’s advanced technical knowledge and potential stockpiles of enriched uranium could allow it to resume operations sooner than expected.
Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned that Iran could begin producing enriched uranium again “in a matter of months.” He emphasized that while physical infrastructure can be destroyed, scientific expertise cannot be erased.
Iran’s Response and Regional Implications
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed that the Fordow site suffered “serious and heavy damage,” though he declined to provide specific details. “No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged,” Araqchi said in an interview with CBS News.
Iran has not yet disclosed whether its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium was affected. Some experts speculate that Tehran may have moved critical materials prior to the strikes, a claim that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he could not confirm.
The strikes have heightened tensions across the Middle East, with neighboring countries expressing concern over potential retaliation and escalation. Israel, which has long viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat, praised the U.S. operation as a decisive move to curb Tehran’s capabilities.
Political Reactions and Global Fallout
President Donald Trump, who authorized the strikes, declared that Iran’s nuclear program had been “obliterated.” Speaking on Fox News, he said, “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”.
The president’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions on Capitol Hill. Republican lawmakers largely supported the operation, citing national security concerns and the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Democratic leaders, however, expressed skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of the strikes and called for renewed diplomatic efforts.
Internationally, the strikes have reignited debate over the future of the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The agreement, which the U.S. exited in 2018 under Trump’s first term, aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
European leaders have urged both Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations, warning that military action alone cannot ensure lasting peace. French President Emmanuel Macron called for “strategic restraint and renewed dialogue,” while German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock emphasized the importance of multilateral diplomacy.
Strategic Calculations and Future Outlook
The Pentagon’s announcement comes amid broader concerns about nuclear proliferation and regional stability. Analysts say the strikes may have bought time but have not eliminated the underlying threat. “Iran’s nuclear program is not just about centrifuges and uranium—it’s about ambition, resilience, and geopolitical leverage,” said Dr. Farhad Kazemi, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.
The Biden administration, which had previously signaled interest in reviving the JCPOA, now faces a complex diplomatic landscape. With Iran’s facilities damaged but not destroyed, and its scientific expertise intact, the path forward remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Iran has vowed to continue its nuclear research and development, framing the strikes as an act of aggression. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the U.S. of “imperial arrogance” and warned that Iran would “respond at a time and place of its choosing.”
Conclusion
The U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities represent a significant escalation in the long-running standoff over Tehran’s atomic ambitions. While the Pentagon’s assessment offers a measure of strategic success, the broader implications—diplomatic, military, and humanitarian—are still unfolding.
As intelligence agencies continue to evaluate the damage and global leaders weigh their next moves, one thing is clear: the nuclear question remains at the heart of Middle Eastern geopolitics, and the road to resolution is as complex as ever.
