Trump's strike on Iran's nuclear sites were a flop - report says only 1 out of the 3 was seriously damaged
Operation Midnight Hammer
, was intended to deliver a strong message, and US president Donald Trump announced victory hours after the raid, but the recent US assessment of the destruction reveals contrasting details, as per a report.
Intelligence Report Reveals Only One Facility Was Severely Damaged After US Strike on Iran
The new assessment found that only one of the three facilities targeted to disrupt Iran's nuclear enrichment was mostly destroyed, but the other two were only partially damaged and could be restarted in a matter of months if Iran chooses to do so, according to a report by NBC News.
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Early Findings Undermine Public Claims of Success
Five current and former US officials who are familiar with the assessment have pointed out that it's too early to know the exact impact of the strikes, but what they've seen so far contradicts what the White House and Pentagon have said publicly, as per the NBC News report.
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The assessment of the destruction caused by the military operation is just a snapshot of the damage US strikes caused amid an intelligence-gathering process that administration officials have said is expected to continue for months, as reported by the NBC News report. This initiative is part of the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to determine the status of Iran's nuclear program since the facilities were struck, and it was briefed to some US lawmakers, Defense Department officials, and allied countries a few days ago, according to the report.
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Intelligence Still Unfolding For Strike Impact
However, officials told NBC News that the assessments of the impact of the US attack on Iran's nuclear program are expected to change over time, and as the process progresses, the findings might indicate more damage than previous assessments revealed, as per the report.
Trump Administration Could Weighs Possibility of Follow-Up Strikes
In case the early findings about the damage caused to Iran's nuclear program remain the same even after additional intelligence comes in, the United States could find itself back in a conflict there, as reported by NBC News.
According to the report, officials have revealed that there have been ongoing discussions within the Trump administration and Israeli government about if more strikes on the two less-damaged facilities might be needed. This could happen if Iran does restart negotiations with the Trump administration on a nuclear deal or if there are indications that Iran is trying to rebuild at those locations, as reported by NBC News.
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White House and Pentagon Stand Firm on Total Victory Message
However, even after the latest assessment of the damage, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly has reiterated that, 'As the President has said and experts have verified, Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran's nuclear capabilities,' adding that, 'America and the world are safer, thanks to his decisive action,' as quoted in the NBC News report.
While, even chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell has mentioned that, 'The credibility of the Fake News Media is similar to that of the current state of the Iranian nuclear facilities: destroyed, in the dirt, and will take years to recover. President Trump was clear and the American people understand: Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz were completely and totally obliterated. There is no doubt about that,' as quoted in the report.
FAQs
What was Operation Midnight Hammer?
It was a US airstrike operation last month targeting three of Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, ordered by US president Donald Trump.
Did the US strike achieve its goal?
Not entirely. A new US intelligence assessment found only one of the three sites was seriously damaged.
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