President Donald Trump dismissed reports suggesting Iran relocated 400 kilograms of enriched uranium before U.S. airstrikes hit its nuclear facilities. He spoke at a NATO summit in The Hague, calling a leaked intelligence report inconclusive. Trump insisted that the strikes, launched on June 21, had achieved their goal. The White House supported his stance, claiming the targeted uranium remains buried under rubble.
The U.S. strikes targeted Iran’s Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites with bunker-buster bombs. This followed a 12-day Israel-Iran conflict, ended by a Trump-brokered ceasefire. Trump claimed the attacks destroyed Iran’s nuclear program. However, a Defence Intelligence Agency report, cited by CNN and The Guardian, suggested otherwise. It found intact centrifuges and a mere two-month setback. Satellite imagery showed blocked entrances but surviving underground structures. On Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the report. She said no uranium was moved, and the strikes succeeded.
Q: Is there any indication from US intelligence that Iran was able to move any material?
TRUMP: No, just the opposite. We think we hit them so hard and so fast that they didn't get to move. pic.twitter.com/pEMDDpaabj
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 25, 2025Iran’s Nuclear Program and IAEA Concerns
Iran maintains its nuclear work is for civilian energy. Yet, the International Atomic Energy Agency raised alarms about its 60% enriched uranium, nearing weapons-grade levels. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi stressed the need to inspect the struck sites. Iran’s restricted access complicates this effort. Experts like Jeffrey Lewis from the James Martin Centre noted that the strikes missed key underground components. This suggests Iran could resume enrichment soon.
🔴 Donald Trump said there is no missing enriched uranium in Iran because the US hit the country’s nuclear facilities “so hard, so fast”
Follow the latest updates on our live blog ⬇️https://t.co/nHaMBcEOpE pic.twitter.com/MVH1iTVIdP
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 25, 2025Trump’s rejection of the intelligence report aligns with Israel’s claims of severe damage. Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission said Fordo was inoperable. Congressional Democrats criticised the strikes, citing no new intelligence to justify the escalation. Nuclear talks with Iran, planned in Oman, are now facing uncertainty. Iran insists on its enrichment rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Trump’s focus on victory has drawn scrutiny, as the true impact of the strikes remains debated.
