Last Updated:
This marks Iran’s first formal confirmation of the impact of US B-2 bomber strikes, which targeted three major nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs.
For the first time since US airstrikes, Iran officially acknowledged significant damage to its nuclear facilities. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure."
While he declined to offer further details, the statement marks Iran’s first formal confirmation of the impact of US B-2 bomber strikes, which targeted three major nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs. The strikes were hailed by US President Donald Trump as having “completely and fully obliterated" Iran’s nuclear program- claims met with skepticism amid conflicting intelligence assessments.
Esmail Baghaei condemned the US airstrikes as a “detrimental blow" to international law, ethics and diplomacy as he insisted that Iran has not abandoned talks. He said, “They are talking about dialogue and diplomacy, but at the same time, they are committing acts of aggression. These contradictions have only created more and more problems."
On whether Iran is open to resuming talks with the United States, he said Tehran is currently focused on internal security and public anger following the attacks as he defended Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling it a “natural response" to what he described as an act of aggression.
“Don’t you think it is only natural for the representatives of a nation that has come under an egregious act of aggression to reconsider the way they have been dealing with the IAEA?" he asked.
US And Israeli Officials Say Objective Achieved
Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said that the joint US-Israeli objective had been achieved which was “the total destruction of the enrichment capacity."
At the NATO summit in The Hague, Donald Trump dismissed intelligence findings that suggested Iran’s programme had only been delayed by a few months, saying it would take “years" for Tehran to rebuild. Israel’s military echoed that view as it said that the Iranian program had been “significantly damaged" and “set back by years."
IAEA Says Iran Still Has Technical Capability
Despite the physical damage, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi cautioned that Iran retains the technical and industrial knowledge to eventually restart its nuclear programme.
“The technical knowledge is there, and the industrial capacity is there," Rafael Grossi said, adding, “That no one can deny, so we need to work together with them."
Getbreaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
