Fact Check: Trump's Claims of 'Obliteration' of Iran's Nuclear Facilities Are Flat-Out Wrong
What We Know
Following the U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump and various officials claimed that these strikes resulted in the "total obliteration" of Iran's nuclear capabilities. Trump stated, "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" (source-1).
However, independent assessments and classified intelligence reports indicate that while the strikes caused significant damage, they did not completely destroy the facilities or eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities. According to a preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency, the bombing "sealed off entrances" of two facilities but did not destroy their underground structures, and the centrifuges used for uranium enrichment remained largely intact (source-3).
Experts have noted that the damage inflicted by the strikes set back Iran's nuclear program by only a few months, contradicting claims of complete obliteration (source-3).
Analysis
The claims made by Trump and his administration regarding the obliteration of Iran's nuclear facilities are largely based on assertions from military and intelligence officials who were involved in the strikes. For instance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated, "Our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons," emphasizing the effectiveness of the strikes (source-1).
However, the reliability of these claims is questionable. Reports from multiple credible sources, including CNN and the New York Times, highlight that the damage was significant but did not amount to total destruction. A classified report indicated that while the sites were "severely damaged," they were not "obliterated," and Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities remained viable (source-3).
Moreover, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that Iran had moved a substantial amount of enriched uranium to undisclosed locations prior to the strikes, indicating that the country had taken measures to mitigate potential damage (source-3).
In summary, while there is evidence of significant damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear facilities, the claims of "total obliteration" are overstated and not supported by independent assessments.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump's assertions of "obliteration" of Iran's nuclear facilities are "flat-out wrong" is Partially True. While the strikes did cause considerable damage and set back Iran's nuclear program, they did not completely destroy the facilities or eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities. The evidence suggests that the situation is more nuanced than the claims made by Trump and his administration.
