U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that the United States would consider bombing Iran again if the country’s nuclear program once again became a major concern. Speaking during a press briefing on June 27, Trump emphasized that the decision would not be made lightly, but that the potential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear capabilities would justify such action. He stated, "Sure. Without question, absolutely," when asked whether the U.S. would consider bombing Iran if the country were to enrich uranium to a concerning level.
This declaration comes in the wake of a series of air strikes conducted by the United States on June 21, which targeted three major Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These strikes involved the use of bunker buster bombs, which are designed to penetrate deeply into fortified structures. According to reports, the attacks caused substantial damage to the sites, including the destruction of key infrastructure that supports Iran’s nuclear program. However, the effectiveness of these strikes has been called into question by leaked intelligence reports.
A leaked U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment, reported by CNN, raised concerns that the strikes did not fully achieve their intended objective. The assessment suggested that while the attacks may have delayed Iran’s progress in its nuclear program, they did not eliminate the core of its capabilities. Instead, the intelligence indicates that the attacks likely only slowed Iran’s nuclear development by a few months. Despite these findings, U.S. officials, including Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, have dismissed the reports, asserting that the strikes successfully destroyed key nuclear infrastructure. Witkoff stated, "The objective was to eliminate enrichment in Iran… and he achieved that objective," following a personal review of the damage assessments.
The administration’s stance is further complicated by the mixed reports on the success of the strikes. While some evidence suggests that Iran may have relocated its enriched uranium away from the sites, the administration remains confident in its approach. Trump’s comments on the potential for future attacks highlight the ongoing tension between the United States and Iran over nuclear proliferation. This is exacerbated by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has downplayed the impact of the strikes, claiming victory over both Israel and the United States.
Trump’s administration has also halted plans to ease sanctions on Iran, emphasizing that the current sanctions are having a significant impact on Iran’s economy. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, "The sanctions are BITING," and argued that Iran must realign with the international community or face worsening consequences. Meanwhile, the recent strikes have coincided with a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which was announced on June 24 following a retaliatory Iranian attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar. This ceasefire, however, does not necessarily signal a reduction in hostilities, as both nations continue to pursue their strategic objectives in the region.