The controversy surrounding the recent intelligence leak continues to escalate, with Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, describing the leaked intelligence assessment on the US strike against Iran as nothing short of treasonous. In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff expressed his outrage, stating, "It's outrageous, it's treasonous and it has to be investigated. Whoever's responsible for it should be held accountable." He emphasized that he has reviewed all the damage assessment reports and confidently asserted that all three nuclear sites targeted by the US strikes were thoroughly obliterated.
President Donald Trump echoed Witkoff's sentiments by sharing a clip of the Fox interview on his platform, Truth Social. In the post, he quoted Witkoff's statement regarding the effectiveness of the US attack, claiming: “We put 12 bunker buster bombs on Fordow. There's no doubt that it breached the canopy...and there's no doubt that it was OBLITERATED. So, the reporting out there that in some way suggests that we did not achieve the objective is just completely preposterous!”
As previously reported, an initial Pentagon intelligence assessment following the US attack on Iran has raised questions about the administration's assertions that the nuclear program was completely obliterated. The US military targeted three nuclear facilities in Iran—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—utilizing bunker buster bombs designed to penetrate up to 18 meters (60 feet) of concrete or 61 meters (200 feet) of earth before detonating. However, sources familiar with the intelligence assessment indicate that Iran's centrifuges remain largely intact and that the damage was confined to aboveground structures.
According to anonymous sources, the entrances to two of the targeted nuclear facilities were sealed, and while some infrastructure was damaged, the majority of the facilities, which are located deep underground, remained unaffected. The intelligence analysis suggests that the assault may have only delayed Iran's nuclear ambitions by a few months, with the timeline for resuming its nuclear program dependent on how quickly the country can conduct repairs. Additionally, some reports from CBS confirm that portions of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile were relocated prior to the strikes, as indicated in the intelligence assessment.
In a surprising twist of political dynamics, President Trump publicly thanked former rival Jeb Bush after Bush praised the US strikes against Iran. Trump expressed his gratitude on social media, stating, "Thank you to Jeb Bush - Very much appreciated." Former Florida Governor Bush, in his own social media post, remarked that the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities reaffirmed American strength, restored deterrence, and sent a clear message to rogue regimes: the era of impunity is over. This commendation comes despite their contentious history during the 2015-2016 Republican presidential primary, where Trump famously criticized Bush as "low energy" and questioned the actions of his brother, former President George W. Bush, in Iraq.
While aboard Air Force One en route to a NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump shared a text message from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who commended the president for his decisive action in Iran. Rutte's message read, "Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran," highlighting the shifting diplomatic landscape for Trump in the Middle East. Just last week, Trump departed the G7 summit prematurely amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, which raised concerns about US involvement in the conflict.
Despite the applause from allies, potential pitfalls loom. While the Trump administration claims that Iran's nuclear facilities have been thoroughly obliterated, US military intelligence officials have reported that the damage may not be as extensive as the administration asserts. Although Trump appears to have quelled the immediate conflict between Israel and Iran, the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, which he inherited and vowed to end, continue to pose significant challenges.
Questions persist regarding the future of Iran's nuclear program following the US strikes over the weekend, particularly in light of the lack of solid evidence that the bombing effectively penetrated the deep underground enrichment sites. While President Trump and other administration officials maintain that the strikes completely obliterated Tehran's nuclear program, a recent intelligence report from the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency contradicts this claim. The findings suggest that the airstrikes did not destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities and may have only postponed its advancements by a few months.
In response to the intelligence assessment, the White House has firmly stated that the report is "flat-out wrong" and represents a deliberate attempt to undermine President Trump. As the situation evolves, the implications of these military actions and the subsequent diplomatic fallout remain to be seen.
