EU intel confirms CNN, NYT bombshell that Trump's obliteration of Iran's nuclear sites was fake

Time of India

a day ago

Iran uranium stockpile intact
after U.S. strikes, say European officials — conflicting views deepen between Trump, CIA and Pentagon-
Iran's uranium stockpile appears largely untouched following U.S. airstrikes on key nuclear sites, according to a European intelligence probe reported by the
Financial Times
. This finding could deepen tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and his own intelligence agencies, which are divided over how effective the strikes really were.
What did EU intelligence confirm about Trump's Iran strike?
European officials have now backed the internal U.S. intelligence leak — originally reported by CNN and the NYT — stating that the 2025 U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear program only caused temporary setbacks, not the 'obliteration' President Trump announced.
According to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment, the Iranian nuclear program was delayed by just a few months, not years. That report was leaked weeks ago, prompting a storm of controversy — now validated by EU sources.
Was Iran's enriched uranium moved before the U.S. strikes?
European officials, citing early intelligence, say Iran's 408 kilograms of uranium enriched near weapons-grade levels were not stored at the Fordow facility during the June 21 U.S. strikes. The uranium might have been moved beforehand, a move that could mean Iran's nuclear capability remains largely intact despite the heavy bombing campaign.
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected this notion outright. 'We were watching closely and there was no indication to the United States that any of that enriched uranium was moved,' she said on Thursday.
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How does Trump view the outcome of the Iran nuclear strikes?
President Trump has repeatedly claimed the strikes were a 'spectacular military success.' At the NATO Summit in the Netherlands on June 25, he even compared the impact to the atomic bombings of World War II. 'It's destroyed,' Trump said about Iran's nuclear program.
Yet, not all in Washington agree with his assessment. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that while the operation caused 'severe damage,' it may take years to rebuild some facilities. Still, he did not go as far as to fully back Trump's sweeping declaration.
Why is Trump calling the reports fake?
Trump and his senior advisers have slammed the DIA leak, branding it 'fake news' and accusing the intelligence community of undermining his national security legacy. Trump maintains that the strike completely wiped out Iran's nuclear capabilities, calling it the 'single most successful deterrent strike in modern history.'
What does the Pentagon say about the nuclear facilities?
A report by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), first cited by
CNN
, contradicted Trump's version. The assessment, based on 96 hours of intercepted communications and satellite imagery, found that key components of Iran's nuclear program, including centrifuges and uranium stockpiles, survived the attack.
The DIA believes the U.S. operation set Iran's nuclear progress back by 6 to 12 months—not permanently. Some parts of the report are labeled "low confidence," prompting skepticism within the Trump administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, however, claimed, 'Our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to create nuclear weapons.'
What did the strikes target and what's the damage?
On June 21, the U.S. launched airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear sites:
Fordow:
Located under a mountain near Qom, this site was hit with 14,000-kg bunker-busting bombs from stealth bombers. The entrance collapsed, and key infrastructure was damaged. But U.S. intelligence noted that the core facility was not entirely destroyed.
Natanz:
Another critical uranium enrichment site, reportedly struck hard, though full damage assessments are still pending.
Isfahan:
This location, which houses the main uranium conversion plant, was attacked by submarine-launched cruise missiles. Early reports suggest severe surface damage, but again, uncertainty remains over what lies beneath.
Air Force General Dan Caine said assessments would take time, especially at deeply buried facilities like Fordow and Natanz.
How did Iran and Israel respond to the U.S. strikes?
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the U.S. strike as exaggerated. 'They could not achieve anything significant,' he said during a video address following a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel that ended a 12-day conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel backed Trump's narrative, with its Atomic Energy Commission stating the Fordow facility was made 'inoperable' by U.S. and Israeli strikes. The IAEC reported that the site's 'critical infrastructure' had been destroyed and claimed the attack was 'devastating.'
Israel's military also said it bombed potential exit routes to prevent Iran from relocating any nuclear material before the strikes.
Is Iran's nuclear threat truly delayed or just disrupted?
Despite Trump's confidence, the disagreement among intelligence communities is stark. While European and Pentagon assessments stress that parts of Iran's nuclear capacity are still operational, Trump and Israeli officials argue otherwise.
David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security called the DIA's report 'hard to believe,' suggesting both Fordow and Natanz were likely destroyed or knocked out of operation. The institute also stated that Isfahan's tunnel entrances had collapsed, blocking access.
Could the U.S. strike Iran again?
Despite the conflicting reports, U.S. military officials have made it clear:
'All options remain on the table.'
If Iran restarts full-scale uranium enrichment or retaliates militarily, the Biden-Trump administration is prepared to strike again.
Here's what's being discussed:
Contingency plans are active
, including cyberwarfare and targeted precision bombings.
Vice President JD Vance
warned that
any Iranian retaliation
would be met with
'overwhelming force.'
Trump hasn't ruled out diplomacy either — hinting at potential 'renewed talks' if Iran backs down.
Still, the central question remains: did the U.S. strikes truly dismantle Iran's path to a nuclear weapon, or merely delay it? Only time—and clearer intelligence—will tell.
FAQs:
Q1: Is Iran's uranium stockpile still intact after the U.S. attack?
Yes, European officials say most of Iran's enriched uranium is still intact after the strikes.
Q2: Did Trump exaggerate the success of the Iran nuclear strikes?
Trump called it a total success, but U.S. intelligence reports suggest only partial damage was done.