In a detailed briefing at the Pentagon, U.S. defense leaders revealed additional insights on military strategies and explosive technology utilized in recent attacks aimed at dismantling Tehran’s critical nuclear sites. Despite these revelations, uncertainties remain regarding the extent to which Iran’s atomic program has been delayed.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, shifted focus from the absolute destruction of these sites—termed “obliterated” by former President Donald Trump—to highlight the strategic brilliance and heroism involved in the mission. Hegseth declared, “Call it destroyed, defeated, or obliterated. This was an historically successful attack,” during a vigorous exchange with the press.
The conference was part of the administration’s wider effort to substantiate Trump’s assertions on the effectiveness of the U.S. military’s recent interventions amidst the Iran-Israel conflict, reflecting on implications for America’s broader policy towards Iran. However, the briefing provided limited clarity on the status of Iran’s concentrated nuclear resources.
Acknowledging the challenges in tracking Iran’s highly enriched uranium, Hegseth conceded the Pentagon is actively reviewing intelligence data to ascertain the situation. Despite persistent inquiries, Hegseth insisted there was no evidence that Iran had relocated nuclear materials prior to the U.S. strikes, which were carried out at key locations—particularly the Fordo uranium enrichment center.
Satellite images preceding the assault showed activity involving trucks and heavy machinery at Fordo, raising concerns on potential material movement. Kelsey Davenport, nonproliferation policy director at the Arms Control Association, noted the difficulty in detecting hidden stockpiles due to their small, mobile containers. Trump remained confident that no uranium had been moved, citing logistical complexities.
Gen. Caine elaborated on the operation, describing the deployment of 12 precision “bunker buster” bombs on Fordo, with additional strikes targeting Iran’s Natanz facility. The military detailed the years of planning and research culminating in the attack, which included strategic targeting of the ventilation shafts at Fordo using successive bomb drops.
Despite apparent political pressure, Caine maintained his analysis was untainted by external influences, asserting his duty to provide an honest assessment. He commended the troops stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, who successfully defended against Iran’s subsequent retaliation with minimal personnel and equipment.
Hegseth also addressed discrepancies with an initial Defense Intelligence Agency report indicating only partial destruction of the sites, which could delay Iran’s nuclear program by mere months. He emphasized the preliminary nature and limited confidence of that assessment, while promoting alternative intelligence perspectives.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, acknowledged that Fordo’s centrifuges are presently inactive, attributing this to the destructive impact of the bombings. Trump’s sentiments on the conference highlighted satisfaction with the defense leadership’s assertive presentation, which reinforced the administration’s narrative.