Fact Check: "US military strikes only delayed Iran's nuclear program by months, not years."
What We Know
A recent U.S. intelligence report indicates that the military strikes conducted by the U.S. on June 22, 2025, have only delayed Iran's nuclear program by a few months, rather than years as claimed by some officials, including President Donald Trump. The strikes targeted three key nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. According to the report from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), while significant damage was inflicted, the core components of Iran's nuclear capabilities remain largely intact, allowing for a relatively quick recovery of their program (AP News, Reuters, New York Times).
The DIA's preliminary assessment, which is characterized as "low confidence," suggests that much of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile was moved before the strikes, and the underground infrastructure of the facilities was not completely destroyed (Washington Post, CNN).
Analysis
The claim that U.S. military strikes only delayed Iran's nuclear program by months is supported by multiple credible sources. The DIA report, which was leaked to various media outlets, provides a detailed assessment that contradicts more optimistic statements from U.S. officials, including President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who asserted that the strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities (AP News, New York Times).
The reliability of the sources reporting on the DIA's findings is generally high. Major news organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and The New York Times have established reputations for investigative journalism and fact-checking. However, the DIA's assessment itself is labeled as preliminary and "low confidence," indicating that while it provides a snapshot of the situation, it may evolve as more information becomes available (Washington Post).
Critics of the strikes, including some former officials and military experts, have pointed out that the damage inflicted was not sufficient to prevent Iran from continuing its nuclear ambitions. They argue that the strikes may have even pushed Iran closer to developing a nuclear weapon by demonstrating the vulnerability of its facilities and prompting a more covert approach to its nuclear program (Reuters, CNN).
Conclusion
The claim that U.S. military strikes only delayed Iran's nuclear program by months, not years, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources, including the DIA's preliminary report, supports this assertion. The strikes caused significant damage but did not destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities, allowing for a relatively quick recovery of their program. The ongoing debate among officials and experts highlights the complexity of the situation, but the initial findings clearly indicate a shorter delay than previously suggested by some political figures.
Sources
- US strikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by months, ...
- US strikes may have set back Iran nuclear program only ...
- Strike Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by Only a Few ...
- U.S. initial damage report: Iran nuclear program set back ...
- United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
- U.S.、USA、America 有什么区别？ - 知乎
- US，USA和America有什么区别？ - 百度知道
- Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not ...
