Latest news with #ofDefence
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Politics
- Dubai Eye
Iranian nuclear programme degraded by up to two years, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said on Wednesday that US strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear programme by up to two years, suggesting the US military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public. Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, offered the figure at a briefing to reporters, adding that the official estimate was "probably closer to two years." Parnell did not provide evidence to back up his assessment. "We have degraded their programme by one to two years, at least intel assessments inside the Department (of Defence) assess that," Parnell told a news briefing. US military bombers carried out strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 using more than a dozen 13,600-kg bunker-buster bombs and more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. The evolving US intelligence about the impact of the strikes is being closely watched, after President Donald Trump said almost immediately after they took place that Iran's program had been obliterated, language echoed by Parnell at Wednesday's briefing. Such conclusions often take the US intelligence community weeks or more to determine. "All of the intelligence that we've seen (has) led us to believe that Iran's -- those facilities especially, have been completely obliterated," Parnell said. Over the weekend, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said that Iran could be producing enriched uranium in a few months, raising doubts about how effective US strikes to destroy Tehran's nuclear programme have been. Several experts have also cautioned that Iran likely moved a stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium out of the deeply buried Fordow site before the strikes and could be hiding it. But US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week he was unaware of intelligence suggesting Iran had moved its highly enriched uranium to shield it from US strikes. A preliminary assessment last week from the Defence Intelligence Agency suggested that the strikes may have only set back Iran's nuclear programme by months. But Trump administration officials said that assessment was low confidence and had been overtaken by intelligence showing Iran's nuclear programme was severely damaged. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the strikes on the Fordow nuclear site caused severe damage. "No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged," he said in the interview broadcast by CBS News on Tuesday.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Iranian nuclear programme degraded by up to two years, Pentagon says, World News
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said on Wednesday (July 2) that US strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear programme by up to two years, suggesting the US military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public. Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman, offered the figure at a briefing to reporters, adding that the official estimate was "probably closer to two years". Parnell did not provide evidence to back up his assessment. "We have degraded their programme by one to two years, at least intel assessments inside the Department (of Defence) assess that," Parnell told a news briefing. US military bombers carried out strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 using more than a dozen 30,000 pound (13,600kg) bunker-buster bombs and more than two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. The evolving US intelligence about the impact of the strikes is being closely watched, after President Donald Trump said almost immediately after they took place that Iran's programme had been obliterated, language echoed by Parnell at Wednesday's briefing. Such conclusions often take the US intelligence community weeks or more to determine. "All of the intelligence that we've seen (has) led us to believe that Iran's — those facilities especially, have been completely obliterated," Parnell said. Over the weekend, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said that Iran could be producing enriched uranium in a few months, raising doubts about how effective US strikes to destroy Tehran's nuclear programme have been. Several experts have also cautioned that Iran likely moved a stockpile of near weapons-grade highly enriched uranium out of the deeply buried Fordow site before the strikes and could be hiding it. But US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week he was unaware of intelligence suggesting Iran had moved its highly enriched uranium to shield it from US strikes. A preliminary assessment last week from the Defence Intelligence Agency suggested that the strikes may have only set back Iran's nuclear programme by months. But Trump administration officials said that assessment was low confidence and had been overtaken by intelligence showing Iran's nuclear programme was severely damaged. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, the strikes on the Fordow nuclear site caused severe damage. "No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged," Araqchi said in the interview broadcast by CBS News on Tuesday. [[nid:719371]]
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda
NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday firmly rejected Pakistan's claims about targeting Indian infrastructure, describing them as part of an 'attempted malicious misinformation campaign.' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during a special briefing by the ministry of external affairs and ministry of defence on Operation Sindoor, also dismissed all allegations made by Islamabad regarding damage to military infrastructure. Operation Sindoor India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases 'The claims that they have made about attacking various military installations are completely false. The claim about the air station in Sirsa being destroyed completely false. The claim about the air station in Surat—completely false.... These are lies about critical infrastructure, power systems and cyberstructures,' Misri said. 'I urge all who watch this not to be misled by the tissue of lies being peddled by Pakistan.' "There is this yet again completely ludicrous claim that Indian mailers have hit Afghanistan totally frivolous allegation and I only want to point out that Afghan people don't need to be reminded about which country it is that has on multiple occasions in just the last one and a half years targeted civilian populations and civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan," he added. Misri also made it clear that the provocation had come from Pakistan. 'It is the Pakistani act that constituted provocation and escalation,' he further said. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added that 'in a swift and calibrated response, Indian armed forces carried out a precision strike only at identified military targets.' She also denounced the 'continued malicious misinformation campaign' by Pakistan Earlier today, Forces struck at least four Pakistani airbases in the early hours of Saturday, news agency ANI reported, citing government sources. The retaliatory action followed a wave of drone attacks by Pakistan on 26 Indian locations from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. The ministry of Defence confirmed that several of the drones, some armed, targeted military and civilian sites. Indian forces remain on high alert, deploying counter-drone systems and urging civilians in border areas to stay indoors and follow safety guidelines. Explosions and property damage were reported in Udhampur, Rajouri, Akhnoor, and rural Jalandhar. A local woman in Jalandhar described a red flash and a powerful blast that damaged rooftops and water tanks during a blackout.
