UN atomic agency chief says Iran's nuclear program suffered 'enormous damage' in Trump strike

At a Pentagon press briefing Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flatly rejected media speculation that Iran moved its enriched uranium stockpile before the U.S. struck nuclear targets over the weekend.

"I'm not aware of any intelligence that I've reviewed that says things were not where they were supposed to be, moved or otherwise," Hegseth said.

The response comes after some analysts, citing satellite photos from Maxar Technologies, claimed there was “unusual activity” outside Iran’s Fordow facility days before the strikes.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters uranium had been quietly relocated, a claim Hegseth says is not supported by any credible intelligence.

He also blasted the press for pushing a leaked low-confidence damage assessment that downplayed the success of the strike.

Citing updated CIA reports, Hegseth emphasized the Iranian nuclear program was “severely damaged” and will take years, not months, to rebuild.

The Trump administration is considering offering Iran up to $30 billion in foreign-backed investment for a civilian nuclear energy program, but only if Tehran agrees to permanently halt all uranium enrichment, according to a CNN report cited by the Jerusalem Post.

While the U.S. would not fund the plan directly, officials are reportedly urging Gulf allies to cover the cost.

Under the proposal, Iran would adopt the “UAE model,” which prohibits domestic uranium enrichment and instead relies on importing nuclear fuel under strict international oversight, including full cooperation with the IAEA.

Discussions have reportedly included sanctions relief, the unfreezing of $6 billion in Iranian assets, and replacing the bombed Fordow site with a non-enrichment facility.

A key demand: Iran must abandon enrichment. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is leading the push, aiming for a “comprehensive peace agreement.”

Talks are ongoing, but no final deal has been reached. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Iran must engage directly, not just via intermediaries.

A search is underway to identify and prosecute whoever leaked a preliminary, low-confidence intelligence assessment suggesting the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear facilities merely delayed, rather than destroyed, Tehran’s program.

Defense officials showcased simulated footage of bunker buster bombs targeting Iran’s Fordow site, a plan 15 years in the making.

Six 30,000-pound bombs per B-2 stealth bomber were timed to detonate underground just feet off the floor.

“The pilot stated, quote, this was the brightest explosion that I’ve ever seen. It literally looked like daylight,” Joint Chief Chairman Caine recounted during the presser.

At Al Udeid Air Base, 44 U.S. soldiers operating two Patriot batteries intercepted 14 Iranian ballistic missiles.

General Caine praised their efforts: “Imagine you're that young First Lieutenant... you’re going to have approximately two minutes... to either succeed or fail.”

Despite lingering questions about Iran’s 440 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, the Pentagon maintains it was not removed before the strike. Nuclear experts note the material is movable, but U.S. intelligence believes Tehran lacked the time and ability to relocate it safely.

Citing strategic interests and regime survival, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa allowed Israeli aircraft to pass through Syrian airspace during Israel’s recent 12-day campaign against Iran, according to reporting by The Jerusalem Post.

Israeli military planes struck Iranian nuclear sites and military targets from Syrian skies without interference. Experts say the decision was intentional.

“Every blow to Iran is pure benefit to al-Sharaa's regime,” said Prof. Amatzia Baram of the University of Haifa. He explained that weakening Iran helps al-Sharaa consolidate power in Damascus, free from Tehran’s influence.

Baram also noted the lessons al-Sharaa likely took from the Israeli operation: the unprecedented reach and precision of Israeli airpower, and the depth of its intelligence capabilities eliminating high-value Iranian targets deep inside the country.

“If I were al-Sharaa, I would conclude that Israel can reach me at any moment,” Baram said.

The strikes, aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, also bolstered al-Sharaa’s position by deterring Shiite militias in Iraq and Hezbollah, who remained inactive during the conflict.

The new Syrian leader, Baram added, is “quietly grateful” for the Israeli operation that weakened his enemies.

In an exclusive interview with "Special Report," former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a “momentous moment” for the region.

Speaking with Bret Baier, Rice called the military campaign “extraordinary” and said the evidence strongly suggests Iran’s nuclear program was “substantially, significantly damaged.”

Rice criticized early low-confidence intelligence assessments suggesting minimal impact, calling such claims “irresponsible,” and emphasized that Iran’s regional influence through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah had been dealt a serious blow.

“This really is a now crippled Iran, and a crippled Iran is good for the region,” she said, adding that the moment creates opportunities for countries like Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, especially amid talk of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s downfall.

On diplomatic prospects, Rice was skeptical: “We’ve had 46 years of the Iranians destabilizing the region. They don’t want peace.”

However, she left room for pressure via diplomacy, urging international actors like Russia to push Iran toward cooperation with the IAEA.

Rice also said the strikes reinforced American credibility globally. “This is a shot in the arm for American credibility, which I believe has been suffering since our disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.”

Asked if she would return to public service, Rice reiterated her retirement from government but said she remains committed to shaping future leaders as a professor at Stanford University.

Following its 12-day conflict with Israel, Iran has shifted its focus inward, launching a widespread crackdown on dissent across the country, particularly in Kurdish regions.

According to a report by Reuters, hundreds have been arrested on political or security charges since the airstrikes began on June 13. Iranian state media reported the execution of three men in Urmia near the Turkish border, all identified by rights groups as Kurdish.

Security forces have increased their presence in cities and along borders with Pakistan, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. Revolutionary Guard and Basij units have reportedly gone door-to-door searching for suspects, with checkpoints established and citizens subjected to phone and ID inspections.

Some schools in Kurdish areas have been turned into makeshift military outposts.

Officials told Reuters that Iran is now prioritizing internal stability and is especially concerned about opposition groups, ethnic separatists, and alleged Israeli agents. While no mass protests have emerged, activists say many are lying low, fearing further arrests.

The Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRNA) documented 705 arrests so far, and exiled Kurdish factions say more than 500 opposition members have been detained.

One activist in Tehran warned that the regime may use the war as “a pretext” for a broader clampdown.

In a video message posted Thursday, IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir praised Operation Rising Lion as “one of Israel’s most daring and successful operations.”

The 12-day mission, aimed at confronting what he called an “existential threat,” struck Iran's nuclear and missile infrastructure and eliminated key operatives.

“We struck deep into Iran, setting back its military nuclear program, its ballistic missile capabilities, and eliminating those who led the efforts to destroy Israel,” Zamir said.

The general confirmed he remained in close coordination with U.S. military leaders, describing the U.S. and Israel's partnership as rooted in “common values” and a shared goal of regional stability.

Zamir argued that Operation Midnight Hammer, part of the broader Rising Lion campaign, unfolded over Tehran with precision, all while Israel remained alert on six other fronts.

Zamir concluded by declaring Israel’s ongoing mission: “Bringing home the 50 hostages still in Gaza, and dismantling Hamas.”

In a revealing interview with Channel 12, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz acknowledged that Israel launched its military campaign against Iran without knowing whether the United States would join the offensive.

The remarks, reported by The Times of Israel, show the high-stakes uncertainty surrounding the early stages of the conflict.

“In defense, we knew they [the U.S.] were with us — and they did an amazing job,” Katz said, praising U.S. support once the operation was underway.

Katz also confirmed that while Israel does not know the exact locations of all of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, its strikes were aimed at dismantling Tehran’s enrichment infrastructure. “The uranium itself, the material, was not a target for attack,” he noted.

Katz stated that Israel would have taken out Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “if he had been in our sights.”

Speaking to reporters after a closed-door briefing on the Iran strikes, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., expressed strong skepticism about the effectiveness of President Trump’s military action, stating it only set back Iran’s nuclear program by “a handful of months.”

“This briefing should have happened immediately after these strikes,” Murphy said, questioning why the Director of National Intelligence wasn’t allowed to participate. “To me, it still appears that we have only set back the Iranian nuclear program by a handful of months.”

Murphy directly challenged President Trump’s earlier claims that the program had been “obliterated.”

“There’s no doubt there was damage… but the allegations that we have obliterated their program just don’t seem to stand up to reason,” he said.

When asked if he would have supported the operation had it come to Congress, Murphy responded firmly: “No… you cannot bomb knowledge out of existence.”

The U.S. Embassy in Doha has lifted all travel restrictions to Al Udeid Air Base, stressing a return to normal operations for embassy personnel and American citizens in Qatar.

According to a State Department announcement on Thursday, non-essential travel to the base is no longer discouraged, and previous cautionary guidance has been rescinded.

In a public advisory shared via X, the State Department’s travel account wrote, “Qatar: U.S. Embassy Doha has lifted all restrictions on travel to Al Udeid Air Base. Embassy personnel may resume normal access, and we no longer recommend limiting non-essential travel to the base. U.S. citizens in Qatar are advised that the previous cautionary guidance is no longer in effect."

Al Udeid, located southwest of Doha, is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East and a key hub for American air operations in the region.

In a unique move, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency offered direct medical assistance to Iranian civilians via telemedicine following the recent ceasefire between the two nations.

“Dear people of Iran… We stand with you,” the agency wrote in Farsi on social media, announcing a team of Israeli doctors, including specialists in cardiology, diabetes, oncology, and more, was ready to offer remote medical care.

The services are available in Persian and English via WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or phone.

As reported by TPS-IL, Israel's news agency, the outreach follows Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, citing Tehran’s rapid progress toward nuclear weapons.

The 12-day war ended after the U.S. brokered a ceasefire earlier this week.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei broke his silence following the 12-day war with Israel, downplaying the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and hailing what he called a successful strike campaign.

“We thank God for helping our armed forces to be able to penetrate their advanced multi-layered defenses and to put many of their urban and military areas under pressure… with a strong attack using our advanced weapons,” Khamenei said in remarks aired by Iranian state media.

While Iran's government claims the war ended in their favor, Israeli officials continue releasing video evidence of successful precision strikes, including on nuclear sites and IRGC commanders. Both Tel Aviv and Tehran have largely returned to normalcy.

Khamenei warned that Iran would “take action again if necessary,” as ceasefire talks continue in Gaza, where 50 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are in early talks to meet in the coming weeks, according to reporting from The Jerusalem Post. 

While no date is set, both leaders are reportedly interested in a high-level meeting following the ceasefire with Iran. Sources told the Post the two sides see value in what one Israeli official called a potential “victory party.”

Key topics expected to be discussed include expanding the Abraham Accords and advancing a Gaza hostage deal. The Post also reports that the idea of exiling senior Hamas leaders from Gaza, long rejected, has returned to the table in ongoing talks.

Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel is seeking “a dramatic expansion of peace agreements,” signaling strong interest in coordinating next steps with the Trump administration.

At Thursday’s press briefing, Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott reiterated the Trump administration’s focus on the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, stressing U.S. support for Israel and the pursuit of regional peace under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

Pigott stated plainly: “Right now, what we're looking at is trying to get a ceasefire. That is our focus.”

He added, “Our focus now is the ceasefire. We need to see—our focus is getting to that ceasefire, standing with Israel's right to defend itself, its right to protect itself.”

When asked about upcoming diplomatic talks with Iran, Pigott confirmed the goal remains long-term peace: “Well, I refer you to my colleague Karoline [Leavitt]. She spoke about this, at the press briefing at the White House. One of the things that she said there was the goal of an Iranian meeting is to obtain longstanding peace in the region."

He declined to elaborate further, saying, “I have nothing further to add to her comments.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has just released dramatic new footage showcasing Israeli Air Force operations during Operation Rising Lion, the recent campaign that played a central role in the Iran-Israel conflict.

The newly released video shows Israeli fighter jets taking off as part of the operation that struck Iranian military and nuclear assets earlier this month.

The Israeli Air Force played a key role in disabling Iranian radar systems, missile batteries, and defense infrastructure ahead of and during coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes that culminated in what both governments are calling the most significant setback to Iran’s nuclear ambitions in history.

While the ceasefire now appears to be holding, Israeli leaders have made clear that any violation, particularly signs of renewed nuclear activity, will be met with swift military response.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized once again that President Donald Trump does not want to drag the U.S. into an "endless war with Iran."

Her comments at Thursday's press briefing came in response to questions from a reporter who asked how long the Israel-Iran cease-fire will last, and about Americans who are worried that the U.S. is being pulled into another long-term conflict.

"I think the fact that the president was able to successfully negotiate a cease fire when nobody thought that was possible--it was a surprise to everyone in this room. It was a surprise to the world, but the president got it done because he wants to see peace in this world," Leavitt responded. "He does not want the United States to be dragged into these conflicts again. He's not afraid to use strength if he has to, but the president has already proven he can put America first and deliver on peace. At the same time, they're not mutually exclusive goals."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. was monitoring Iran's nuclear facilities "for weeks" ahead of Saturday's strikes.

Leavitt made the comments during a Thursday press briefing, saying there was no indication that Iran moved its enriched uranium out of the facilities before Operation Midnight Hammer.

U.S. intelligence was "watching these sites very closely," Leavitt said, going on to call the operation "one of the most secretive and successful operations in United States history."

"I think many of you in this room would agree with that because none of you knew in this room about the strike on Saturday until it took place," she added.

Senate Republicans pushed back against a leaked report that President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran did not obliterate the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, but still wanted more information on the full extent of the damage done to the key facilities.

A widely reported "low confidence" assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested that the weekend strikes, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, did not completely destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Trump has remained firm that the sites were "totally obliterated," and the White House has strongly pushed back against the report. And both the Israeli and Iranian governments agree that the sites were badly damaged.

Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee told Fox News Digital that they were confident in the president’s assessment and pushed back against the DIA’s findings.

"First of all, one of the things I'd consider is the DIA said that Ukraine would be wiped out in three days," Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told Fox News Digital. "And second, whatever the damage to Fordow is, the damage to the [nuclear] capabilities of Iran are devastating."

Cramer said that the effectiveness of the bombing, which was carried out by several B-2 bombers armed with bunker-busting bombs, could not be "overstated," and warned that lingering questions surrounding the effectiveness of the operation were just "fodder for political discussion."

"I think the mission was accomplished," he said.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., had not yet read the report, but called the DIA’s finding and subsequent news reports "bogus." Wicker’s sentiment came just after Senate Republicans met behind closed doors with Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter.

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Alex Miller