Pentagon: U.S. Strikes Delay Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions by Two Years

(MENAFN) The Pentagon revealed on Wednesday that U.S. military airstrikes last month on three pivotal Iranian nuclear sites have delayed Tehran’s nuclear ambitions by up to two years.

"We have degraded their program by one to two years, at least intel assessments inside the department assess that," Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated during a press briefing, although he refrained from providing additional details.

"All of the intelligence that we've seen led us to believe that Iran's, those facilities especially, have been completely obliterated," Parnell added.

On June 22, U.S. forces launched airstrikes against three key Iranian nuclear facilities—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

In response to the attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told media on Tuesday, "No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. " "What we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged."

Araghchi further noted that Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization is currently assessing the full extent of the damage.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an executive order on Wednesday to implement a law halting the nation's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

This law mandates the suspension of cooperation until Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its nuclear infrastructure and scientists are guaranteed, as detailed by Constitutional Council Spokesman Hadi Tahan Nazif.

Under the new legislation, any future IAEA inspections at Iran's nuclear sites will require approval from the Supreme National Security Council.

In response, the IAEA issued a statement noting, "We are aware of these reports. The IAEA is awaiting further official information from Iran."

At a daily press briefing, Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressed concern over Iran’s decision, calling it “obviously concerning.”

“The Secretary-General has been very consistent in his call for Iran to cooperate with the IAEA, and frankly, for all countries to work closely with the IAEA on nuclear issues,” Dujarric emphasized.

The U.S. also reacted swiftly. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce called Iran’s move to suspend cooperation with the IAEA "unacceptable."

“We'll use the word unacceptable, that Iran chose to suspend cooperation with the IAEA at a time when it has a window of opportunity to reverse course and choose a path of peace and prosperity," Bruce stated at a Wednesday briefing.

Bruce further insisted that Iran must immediately resume full cooperation with the IAEA.

MENAFN03072025000045017169ID1109755332