WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV/ISTANBUL, June 24 – A preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggests that recent American airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure failed to eliminate the threat, merely delaying the program by a couple of months. The disclosure comes as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel begins to take effect, following intense military exchanges that spanned nearly two weeks. President Donald Trump, who brokered the truce, had previously declared the mission a decisive blow to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
However, the intelligence findings tell a more restrained story. According to multiple individuals briefed on the classified assessment, key uranium enrichment sites in Iran remain functional, and substantial underground portions of the program remain largely untouched. The strikes reportedly blocked access points to two facilities but did not succeed in collapsing the fortified underground sections housing critical equipment.
While President Trump insisted that the deployment of heavy bunker-buster bombs had “obliterated” Iran’s capabilities, one source close to the intelligence review said that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remains largely preserved. The nuclear sites, many of which are built deep below ground, appear to have sustained surface-level damage only. Tehran maintains that its nuclear initiatives are aimed exclusively at generating energy for civilian use.
Conflicting Claims of Victory
The White House swiftly rejected the intelligence analysis, labeling it inaccurate. In contrast, military officials familiar with the report claim that while access to some sites has been compromised, a significant number of centrifuges survived the bombing campaign. This discrepancy has fueled debate over whether the mission delivered the decisive blow that President Trump claimed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the strike as a “historic success,” asserting that the operation neutralized Iran’s nuclear threat and thwarted a looming catastrophe. He emphasized that both the nuclear threat and the danger posed by Iran’s vast missile arsenal had been contained. In a national address, Netanyahu declared that two major existential dangers had been removed — the risk of a nuclear attack and the threat posed by 20,000 ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared the end of hostilities a “great victory” for Tehran. Speaking to national media and in conversations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pezeshkian stressed Iran’s willingness to resolve longstanding tensions with the United States diplomatically, provided mutual respect and sovereignty are preserved.
The 12-day conflict, ignited by an Israeli offensive on June 13 targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and top military figures, marked the deadliest confrontation between the two nations in decades. In response, Iran unleashed missile attacks on Israeli cities and military positions, penetrating air defenses and triggering nationwide alerts.
Ceasefire Holds, but Tensions Simmer
On Tuesday evening, Israel lifted wartime restrictions across the country, including the reopening of Ben Gurion Airport, indicating a return to civilian normalcy. Iranian aviation authorities also announced the reopening of their airspace, a signal that both sides were prepared to step back — at least temporarily.
U.S. officials confirmed that the ceasefire was the result of direct mediation by President Trump, with support from both Israeli leadership and backchannel communications with Iranian representatives. Despite the ceasefire announcement taking effect at 1:00 AM EDT, both sides exchanged accusations of violations. Israel blamed Iran for launching missiles three hours after the truce was to begin, while Tehran accused Israel of continuing airstrikes well after the agreed start time.
In a candid moment before boarding a flight to a NATO summit in Europe, President Trump criticized both nations, expressing frustration at the shaky truce. “They’ve been fighting for so long, they don’t even know what the hell they’re doing anymore,” he remarked. Trump added that he had to personally urge Israel to stand down, warning that continued aggression would escalate tensions further.
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, affirmed the country’s commitment to the ceasefire, stating that Israeli forces would only resume operations if Iran initiated new attacks. Iranian media reported similar statements from President Pezeshkian, reinforcing Iran’s intention to honor the ceasefire under the condition of Israeli restraint.
Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir described the conflict as a “significant chapter,” yet emphasized that the broader campaign against regional threats — particularly Iran-backed groups in Gaza — remains ongoing. Iranian military commanders, meanwhile, issued stern warnings to both Israel and the United States, urging them to consider the “crushing blows” inflicted by Iranian forces.
Casualty reports from Iranian officials indicated that 610 people had died from Israeli strikes, with nearly 4,750 injured. In contrast, Israel reported 28 fatalities following Iran’s unprecedented missile barrage. This marks the first time that Iran succeeded in overwhelming Israeli missile defenses with a concentrated assault.
Financial markets responded positively to the ceasefire. Global oil prices dropped, easing fears of a prolonged disruption to Middle Eastern energy supplies. Stock markets across Asia, Europe, and North America rallied as confidence returned following the de-escalation.