Peloni: The success of this campaign requires a change in regime in Iran. It is that simple. Failing to pursue this objective in a meaningful and prolonged manner will only lead to the mowing of a nuclear grass, so to speak.
Despite US doubts, Israeli strikes dealt a crushing blow to Tehran’s atomic ambitions.
Israfan | June 25, 2025
By Imagery from LANCE FIRMS operated by NASA’s Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) with funding provided by NASA Headquarters. – https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#d:2025-06-19;l:fires_all,earth;@51.82,32.57,14.00z, Public Domain
In the aftermath of Israel’s decisive 12-day campaign against Iran, the IDF is making it clear: Tehran’s nuclear aspirations have suffered a serious, long-term blow. Despite American intelligence estimates suggesting only a short-term disruption, IDF Chief Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin firmly stated this week, “We set it back years. I repeat: years backwards.”
Addressing the media, Defrin emphasized that Israel not only achieved but surpassed its operational goals. While the intricate impact on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure is still under detailed assessment by IDF intelligence and the Israeli Air Force, the early indicators point to massive strategic success.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi echoed this sentiment, telling FOX News that “there is one Iran before June 13 and one now, and it is night and day.” According to Grossi, every major nuclear facility in Iran was hit significantly, with the damage making any attempt to weaponize uranium “very hard for an extended period.”
The heart of the Israeli-American offensive was a focused strike on the Fordow nuclear facility, buried deep beneath a mountain. Using the US’s most powerful bunker buster bombs, the site was bombarded relentlessly. As of now, no one neither Iran, the IAEA, nor international observers can confirm the extent of the devastation until the wreckage is fully assessed. However, Israeli intelligence is confident that the combination of destroyed facilities, missing components, and disrupted uranium stockpiles has stalled Iran’s nuclear threat for years.
Critics have pointed out that Israel has made similar declarations before such as after the Natanz sabotage in 2020 and the assassination of nuclear architect Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. While Iran eventually recovered from those setbacks, this current operation was broader, more sustained, and strategically deeper than any prior engagement.
Defrin also highlighted that the mission struck hard at Iran’s ballistic missile program, an essential delivery system for any nuclear weapon. By crippling both the warhead development and delivery capabilities, Israel ensured that Iran’s ambitions would be delayed not just at the lab, but on the battlefield.
This comes after nearly two years of Israeli efforts that already weakened Tehran’s terror proxies across the region. The recent campaign was not an isolated strike it was a culmination of a sustained strategic doctrine aimed at defending Israel on all fronts.
As the world waits to see whether Iran will choose to return to the negotiating table or attempt to rebuild its nuclear enterprise, one fact is clear: Israel has bought itself time and peace of mind for its citizens through a carefully executed, high-impact operation.
Witkoff just confirmed that sanctions were lifted on Iran, but the administration previously stated there were no sanctions lifted. Is Witkoff off script again?
https://x.com/3KooH/status/1937983682041770434
From the same article:
Earlier on Wednesday, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said it would take Iran “years” to rebuild the nuclear facilities that were struck by American B2 bombers over the weekend because they have been destroyed.
“New intelligence confirms what POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do,” Gabbard wrote in a post on X.
She further criticized the reports of media outlets such as CNN and the New York Times that attempted to downplay the success of the American and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
“The propaganda media has deployed their usual tactic: selectively release portions of illegally leaked classified intelligence assessments (intentionally leaving out the fact that the assessment was written with ‘low confidence’) to try to undermine President Trump’s decisive leadership and the brave servicemen and women who flawlessly executed a truly historic mission to keep the American people safe and secure,” she wrote.
On Tuesday night, US President Donald Trump rejected the reports which cited US intelligence assessments suggesting that the US military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities did not obliterate those facilities.
“Fake news CNN, together with the failing New York Times, have teamed up in an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history. The nuclear sites in Iran are completely destroyed! Both the Times and CNN are getting slammed by the public!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“CIA can confirm that a body of credible intelligence indicates Iran’s Nuclear Program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes. This includes new intelligence from an historically reliable and accurate source/method that several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years,” he said.
FRom the same Arutz Sheva article:
“CIA continues to collect additional reliably sourced information to keep appropriate decision-makers and oversight bodies fully informed. When possible, we will also provide updates and information to the American public, given the national importance of this matter and in every attempt to provide transparency,” added Ratcliffe.
This from today’s Arutz Sheva:
CIA Director: Iran’s nuclear program has been severely damaged
CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirms Iran’s nuclear program was severely damaged by recent strikes, stating credible intelligence indicates key facilities were destroyed and would take years to rebuild.
Published: Jun 25, 2025, 11:45 PM (GMT+3)
CIA
Iranian Nuclear Program