Israel Declares Success in Iran Strike as IAEA Confirms Nuclear Program ‘Set Back by Years’
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – Israel’s military and intelligence leadership are expressing confidence that Iran’s nuclear program has been significantly disrupted following a series of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on key nuclear sites, though officials caution that the full impact of the campaign is still being assessed.
Speaking Wednesday, IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effi Defrin declared that Israel had achieved “all operational objectives” in the joint campaign. “Our assessment is that we significantly disrupted the nuclear program and set it back by years,” Defrin stated. “There is an Iran before the operation — and there is an Iran after.”
New satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies reveals widespread devastation at Iran’s nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Bunker-busting bombs delivered by U.S. B-2 bombers created deep craters, collapsed access tunnels, and leveled support infrastructure, particularly at the highly fortified Fordow site. Israeli strikes, which preceded the U.S. bombardment, are believed to have softened key targets.
At Isfahan, imagery shows access tunnels destroyed and buildings flattened, though reports indicate the U.S. deliberately avoided striking three Chinese-built research reactors that contain roughly 900 grams of weapons-grade enriched uranium. Meanwhile, at Natanz, two craters were visible until recently filled in with earth, suggesting Iran is attempting to obscure the extent of the damage.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed the seriousness of the strikes. “There is one Iran before June 13 — nuclear Iran — and one now,” Grossi said in an interview with Fox News. “It is night and day.” He later emphasized that Iran’s enrichment capability has suffered “very serious damage,” particularly at Natanz.
Despite the operation’s apparent success, confusion erupted after a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report suggested Iran’s program was only set back by “a few months.” The White House dismissed the report as “fake news,” with President Donald Trump calling it “inconclusive” and “premature,” noting Israel’s forthcoming battle damage assessment would provide a clearer picture.
Speaking at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump doubled down: “We obliterated Iran’s nuclear capability. You don’t drop twelve bunker busters on Fordow and walk away empty-handed.”
Israeli officials echoed that sentiment. “There is no indication that the operation failed. Nobody here is disappointed,” one official told Axios. While Israel has not issued a final report, its intelligence agencies are reportedly far more optimistic than the DIA’s early findings.
Meanwhile, the IAEA raised a red flag regarding the location of enriched uranium previously known to be at the struck sites. “We cannot account for nearly 900 pounds of potentially enriched uranium,” Grossi warned, pressing Iran to allow inspectors to resume monitoring. Tehran, however, claims it took “protective measures,” possibly relocating the material prior to the strikes. Grossi was blunt: “There is a question there: Where is this?”
Although Vice President JD Vance noted that 60% enriched uranium is still below the 90% needed for a nuclear weapon, Grossi emphasized that the missing material’s whereabouts remain a serious concern for global security.
As tensions simmer, observers say the strike has weakened Iran’s strategic position, but warn the regime’s next move could determine whether the region edges toward renewed diplomacy — or another spiral into war.
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