Trump Stands by 'Obliteration' Claims of Iran's Nuclear Program Despite Pentagon Report

What Happened?

President Donald Trump reiterated claims that the U.S. military totally obliterated Iran's three nuclear facilities during strikes launched last week in Tehran.

During the NATO summit in the Netherlands, President Trump dismissed an early Pentagon report that had circulated suggesting otherwise.

The assessment, produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency, revealed that the strikes likely only set Iran back by months, according to CNN.

It suggested that the U.S. military strikes did not destroy core components as intended on Iran’s nuclear program.

'I believe it was total obliteration,' Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

He also dismissed reports that suggested Iran was able to relocate highly enriched uranium stocks beforehand.

'I believe they didn't have a chance to get anything out because we acted fast,' Trump added, following the U.S. attacks in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

'Bunker buster' bombs and missiles targeted the heavily fortified facilities that Trump called 'spectacularly successful' despite early indications.

The Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly based their information on a battle damage assessment conducted by U.S. Central Command in the aftermath of the strikes.

While the impact of the strikes is ongoing, early findings are at odds with the Trump administration.

Why it Matters

Trump criticized various media members on Monday who had reported on early indications the U.S. strikes weren't as impactful as his administration claimed.

'The sites that we hit in Iran were totally destroyed, and everyone knows it. Only the Fake News would say anything different in order to try and demean, as much as possible,' he said.

Following last week's strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency also reported that 'no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time.'

Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev downplayed the U.S.'s impact on its ally, asking, 'What have the Americans accomplished with their nighttime strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran?’

He added that critical infrastructure involving the nuclear sites appeared to have been unaffected or sustained only minor damage.

'Iran’s political regime has survived — and in all likelihood, has come out even stronger,' Medvedev boldly expressed.

It's an expression that was displayed on Monday after Iran carried out a retaliation attack that had targeted the U.S. military Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

How it Affects You

Trump recently told NBC News that he believed a ceasefire he tried to impose between Israel and Iran was 'unlimited' and was 'going to go forever.'

He expressed exasperation toward both parties on Tuesday following the collapse of a ceasefire deal announced hours prior on social media.

Both sides reportedly violated what he called a 'complete and total' ceasefire which somewhat questions the control the U.S. has on the situation.

It comes as countries like China and Russia are closely watching this all unfold.

Trump wants to establish a strong position with both countries amid Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine and China's ongoing trade talks with the U.S.

But reports that downplay the U.S. military's effectiveness in its latest operation may damage the credibility that the Trump administration cannot afford to lose.