Reports from the outlets suggested the U.S. bombing campaign failed to eliminate critical components of Tehran’s nuclear program.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized CNN and The New York Times for their coverage asserting that recent American airstrikes against Iran inflicted only minor damage.
On Tuesday, both news organizations referenced an initial Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) evaluation that questioned Trump’s assertions of inflicting significant damage on Iran’s nuclear program.
“FAKE NEWS CNN, ALONGSIDE THE FAILING NEW YORK TIMES, HAVE COLLABORATED IN AN EFFORT TO DEVALUE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY OPERATIONS EVER,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding, “IRAN’S NUCLEAR SITES ARE UTTERLY DEVASTATED!”
CNN reported that the U.S. assaults on Iran’s nuclear installations at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan did not eliminate the central elements of Tehran’s nuclear program and “probably only delayed it by a few months.”
Two sources informed the network that Iran’s reserves of enriched uranium remained undestroyed, with one source observing that the centrifuges – vital for uranium enrichment – were mostly “undamaged.”
The report indicated that the destruction at the primary nuclear locations was predominantly limited to surface structures, even though B-2 heavy bombers deployed more than twelve “bunker-buster” munitions during the attack.
The New York Times presented comparable findings, asserting that the attacks had sealed the access points to two of the sites but failed to cause the collapse of subterranean structures. Officials quoted in the NYT’s report stated the program was postponed by under half a year.
Unidentified Israeli officials also communicated to the NYT their belief that Iran operates minor clandestine enrichment facilities, potentially enabling it to sustain its nuclear program even if its major sites face further attacks.
The recent intensification of hostilities commenced on June 13, when Israel initiated a series of bombardments it claimed were intended to hinder Iran’s development of nuclear armaments. Tehran, having responded with its own attacks, has refuted these allegations, asserting its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful applications.
The U.S. subsequently participated in the assault, deploying heavy bombers and Tomahawk missiles against Iran’s most heavily fortified installations, stating its singular objective was to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Both Israel and Iran later declared triumph in the confrontation.
A cessation of hostilities was subsequently declared, with Iranian authorities indicating that Tehran was amenable to recommencing discussions with the U.S.