U.S. Strikes Have Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by 1–2 Years: Pentagon

The Pentagon has claimed that last month’s U.S. military strikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by approximately one to two years. The statement was made by Pentagon Chief Spokesperson Sean Parnell during a press briefing held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

While Parnell did not echo President Donald Trump’s earlier assertion that Iran’s primary nuclear facilities had been “completely destroyed,” he confirmed that internal intelligence assessments from the Department of Defense suggest the Iranian nuclear effort has been significantly hindered. However, he declined to provide further details on the sources of the assessment.

Parnell’s tone marked a more measured stance compared to Trump’s earlier claim. A preliminary report by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) had previously estimated only a few months of disruption to Iran’s nuclear timeline.

As more intelligence becomes available, a clearer picture is emerging about the damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. According to updated reports, the main centrifuges at the Fordow enrichment facility have been destroyed, although it remains unclear whether the entire facility has collapsed.

Still, independent verification of the full impact remains elusive. Satellite imagery has indicated some level of damage, but the true extent—especially to underground installations like Fordow—is yet to be confirmed. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that containers carrying enriched uranium may have been damaged or removed, though this has not been conclusively verified.

Grossi also cautioned that Iran may be capable of resuming uranium enrichment within months, depending on the damage and response timeline.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Iran has suspended all cooperation with the IAEA, accusing the agency of secretly passing information to Israel—an allegation the IAEA has firmly denied.

The evolving situation continues to raise serious concerns among international observers, as the region grapples with the potential for renewed nuclear escalation amid ongoing military tensions.