"Iran's Nuclear Setback: A Long Road to Recovery"
CIA supports Trump's account of nuclear program events
The recent US attacks on Iran have left Tehran's nuclear program in a state that CIA Director John Ratcliffe describes as "years" of reconstruction work. The significant destruction inflicted on crucial facilities like Fordo, Natans, and Isfahan, according to CIA sources, means a lengthy rebuilding process lies ahead.
Tulsi Gabbard, US Intelligence Coordinator, echoes this sentiment, hinting at the brutal Aftermath of the attacks, and neither offers details on the exact information that led to this conclusion. Both are in resonance with President Donald Trump's assertions that the weekend's strikes were a devastating blow to Iran's nuclear program.
Initial estimations by the military's DIA, published on Tuesday, predicted a mere delay of a few months for Iran's nuclear program. However, the White House condemned these reports as unfounded and falsified.
A more measured tone was adopted by the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. He acknowledged "substantial damage and destruction" at the nuclear facilities, even admitting the employment of bunker-busting bombs.
The skirmish between Israel and Iran, ignited nearly two weeks ago, was aimed at halting Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile development. A ceasefire is now in place. Iran insists its nuclear program serves only peaceful purposes and not for the construction of nuclear weapons.
US Intelligence suggests that while the attacks caused considerable harm, Iran's nuclear sites were not completely annihilated. Some underground infrastructure remains intact, and much of the enriched uranium has been moved prior to the strikes.
Israeli intelligence assesses that the attacks have set back Iran's nuclear program by approximately two years under the assumption that reconstruction is hindered. However, this timeline remains uncertain due to the limited accessibility of the sites and the ongoing evaluation of battle damage.
The extent of the damage is still being assessed, with reports indicating that Iran will never rebuild its nuclear weapons program, although the resilience of underground facilities raises doubts about its complete eradication.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
- Iran
- Iran Conflict
- Iranian Nuclear Program
- US Military
- CIA
- Donald Trump
- Pentagon
- Intelligence Services
- US Intelligence
- The US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, as depicted in the community policy, have caused significant damage to the Iranian Nuclear Program, potentially adding years of reconstruction work, according to the CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
- Despite initial speculations suggesting a mere delay of a few months for Iran's nuclear program, recent general-news reports indicate a prolonged recovery process, with Israeli intelligence assessing a setback of approximately two years due to the destruction inflicted on its nuclear sites.
