Fact Check: Pentagon confirms US bombs failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites.

Fact Check: "Pentagon confirms US bombs failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites."

What We Know

Recent military operations conducted by the U.S. against Iranian nuclear facilities have been the subject of intense scrutiny. On June 22, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine confirmed the success of "Operation Midnight Hammer," which targeted three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. They reported that the operation inflicted "extremely severe damage and destruction" to the facilities, utilizing advanced munitions including the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, specifically designed for such targets (Defense.gov).

However, subsequent assessments from various sources indicate that while the strikes caused significant damage, they did not completely obliterate Iran's nuclear capabilities. A preliminary classified report suggested that the strikes may have only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months rather than years, and the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that while Fordow suffered "enormous damage," its centrifuges were "no longer operational," but he refrained from confirming total destruction (Washington Post, NPR).

Analysis

The claim that the Pentagon confirmed U.S. bombs failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites is misleading. While it is true that the Pentagon officials did not assert total destruction of the nuclear program, they did emphasize the significant damage inflicted on the facilities. Gen. Caine stated that the bombs hit their intended targets and exploded as planned, leading to substantial damage (AP News).

However, the distinction lies in the interpretation of "destroy." While initial assessments indicated severe damage, the overall capability of Iran's nuclear program was not entirely eliminated. The IAEA's comments and the preliminary intelligence report suggest that the damage may have been more limited than initially claimed by U.S. officials, indicating that the program could recover more quickly than anticipated (New York Times, BBC).

The reliability of the sources varies: the Pentagon's statements are official and reflect the U.S. military's perspective, while independent assessments from the IAEA and media reports provide a more nuanced view of the situation. The initial claims of total destruction by U.S. officials may have been politically motivated, aiming to project strength and success in military operations.

Conclusion

The claim that the Pentagon confirmed U.S. bombs failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites is False. While the Pentagon did not claim total destruction, they did assert significant damage to the facilities. However, subsequent assessments indicate that the Iranian nuclear program remains operational and may have only been set back temporarily. The narrative surrounding the effectiveness of the strikes is complex and reflects a mix of military success and the enduring capabilities of Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

Fact Check: Pentagon confirms US bombs failed to destroy Iran's nuclear sites.