Fact Check: "Iran's nuclear program remains intact despite US bombing raids."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, the United States conducted a significant military operation targeting three key Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to reports, the operation involved the use of advanced weaponry, including GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), designed to penetrate deep underground facilities (source-1, source-2). President Trump claimed that these sites had been "obliterated," and initial assessments indicated "extremely severe damage" to all three locations (source-2, source-3). However, Iranian officials have disputed the extent of the damage, asserting that the facilities remained operational and had not suffered a major blow (source-2, source-4).
Damage Assessment
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that while visible craters were observed at the Fordow site, it was unclear how much underground damage had occurred (source-1). Furthermore, satellite imagery indicated that trucks were present at key sites shortly before the strikes, suggesting that Iran may have relocated sensitive materials (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that "Iran's nuclear program remains intact despite US bombing raids" can be evaluated through the lens of available evidence. While U.S. officials assert that the strikes caused significant damage, the Iranian government and independent assessments suggest that the program is still operational. Reports indicate that the U.S. military's initial damage assessments were based on visible destruction but did not account for potential underground facilities that may not have been affected (source-1, source-6).
Moreover, the IAEA's inability to assess underground damage at Fordow raises questions about the effectiveness of the bombing in achieving its stated goal of dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities (source-1). The conflicting narratives from U.S. officials and Iranian representatives highlight the complexities of the situation, suggesting that while damage was inflicted, the nuclear program may not be as compromised as the U.S. claims.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "Iran's nuclear program remains intact despite US bombing raids" is Partially True. While the U.S. strikes did cause significant damage to Iranian nuclear sites, the full extent of this damage is still unclear, particularly regarding underground facilities. Iranian officials maintain that their nuclear program continues to function, indicating that the bombing may not have achieved its intended goal of completely dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Sources
- U.S. officials detail stealthy bombing raid on Iranian nuclear sites ... Washington Post
- What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites BBC
- American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites - Wikipedia Wikipedia
- Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but ... NPR
- Alarm grows after the US inserts itself into Israel's war ... AP News
- Vance says Iran's nuclear program has been 'substantially delayed.' New York Times
- World awaits Iranian response after US hits nuclear sites Reuters
- US bombing of Iran started with a fake-out Reuters
