A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment has determined that U.S. strikes over the weekend on Iranian nuclear facilities have set back Tehran's program by only a matter of months, three sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Tehran

The United States has joined Israel in striking nuclear targets in Iran. It follows an escalating broader conflict in the region including the ongoing Gaza war.

Iran Strikes

A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment has found that recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities may have delayed Iran's nuclear program by only a few months, according to three sources familiar with the findings. This assessment contrasts with statements from President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who asserted that the strikes had severely damaged Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The intelligence report has reportedly generated significant disagreement within the U.S. government, with some officials disputing the extent of the damage. The Pentagon maintains that the strikes were highly effective, while Iran continues to deny pursuing nuclear weapons, stating its program is for peaceful purposes. The White House has rejected the preliminary assessment, calling it incorrect.

U.S. strikes may only delay Iran nuclear program by months

A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment determined that U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend only set its nuclear program back by a matter of months. That's according to three sources with knowledge of the matter. The classified assessment is at odds with the statements of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who both said that the strikes had, quote, obliterated Iran's nuclear ambitions. Trump has said the attacks were necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Iran denies it is seeking such a weapon and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. One source said the initial assessment was not universally accepted and had generated significant disagreement. A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity said the U.S. did not know the extent of the damage yet. Still, the preliminary assessment indicated the strikes may not have been nearly as successful as the Trump administration has claimed. One of the sources said Iran's enriched uranium stocks had not been eliminated and that the country's nuclear program may have been set back by only a month or two. The Pentagon disputed the notion that the damage to Iran's nuclear program was minor. In a statement provided to Reuters, Hegseth said, quote, based on everything we have seen and I've seen it all, our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to create nuclear weapons. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement to CNN, which first reported the intelligence assessment, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt said the conclusion was, quote, flat out wrong.

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Jerusalem

More than 80 people killed in Gaza in one day

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U.S. strikes may only delay Iran nuclear program by months

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