CIA Director John Ratcliffe informed U.S. lawmakers that recent American military strikes dealt a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program by destroying the country’s only metal conversion facility. Ratcliffe, speaking in a classified briefing, outlined the significance of the strike as a major setback for Iran that will take years to recover from. He estimated that most of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium likely remains buried under rubble at the Isfahan and Fordo nuclear sites. The destruction of the conversion facility is described as a critical loss for Iran, as it is a crucial component needed to build any nuclear weapon.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this assessment during a NATO summit, stating that the conversion facility has been effectively wiped out and cannot be found on the map. He emphasized that without this facility, Iran is not equipped to manufacture nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump has also defended the operation, claiming that it was the most devastating strike ever seen and that it effectively ended Iran’s nuclear ambitions for at least a period of time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth supported this view, stating the sites were “destroyed.”
However, a preliminary report by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency contradicts these claims, noting that while significant damage was inflicted, the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities were not entirely destroyed. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed a cautious stance, acknowledging that three major nuclear sites were destroyed to an important degree but cautioning that some facilities remain standing. He stressed the need for inspectors to be allowed in the area to fully assess the damage, stating that it is not yet possible to claim that everything has disappeared and that there is nothing left.
The destroyed metal conversion facility at the Isfahan site had played a central role in Iran’s nuclear weapons development. Ratcliffe highlighted that the elimination of this facility is a strategic win for the U.S., as it effectively undercuts Iran’s ability to weaponize its uranium. The U.S. official also noted that the 12-day U.S. assault severely weakened Iran’s air defense systems, leaving the country lacking the capability to defend against future Israeli airstrikes. This increased vulnerability is seen as a significant blow to Iran’s prospects of rebuilding its nuclear program.
The ongoing debate over the full impact of the strikes underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the situation. While the U.S. and its allies argue that the strikes have significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capacity, there is still uncertainty about the long-term effectiveness of these actions. The international community, including the IAEA, is urging for transparency and further assessment to determine the true extent of the damage and its implications for global nuclear security.