By the time of US strikes, Iran’s nuclear facilities were vulnerable:
- The air defences were mostly destroyed
- The military was focused on retaliating against Israel
Did the strikes stop Iran’s nuclear program?
The scale of the damage remains unclear.
No people reportedly died in the strike.
President Trump claimed that the strike “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities.
However, US military official claimed the strikes set back the program by up to 2 years.
- A leaked report by US military intelligence claims Iran’s nuclear program has been set back by a few months.
Israeli intelligence claims that the program was damaged but not destroyed.
It is unclear whether Iran may have relocated sensitive materials and machines to secret locations before the strike.
Also, it is important to highlight that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure extends beyond the 3 sites hit during the strikes.
Iranian officials initially denied major losses but later admitted that several facilities had beendamaged.
On June 23, Iran launched a limited missile attack on a US base in Qatar.
All missiles were intercepted, causing no casualties.
The following day, the United States, with Qatar's mediation, brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Both Iran and Israel claimed victory, while US President Trump took credit for the deal.
President Trump re-stated the US pledge to stop Iran’s uranium enrichment program, reaffirming the red line.
Overall, the Twelve-Day war left 32 Israelis and over 1,000 Iranians dead.
Israel killed at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists.
In the days after the strike, Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for oil exports.
However, Chinese diplomatic mediation helped de-escalate the tensions, and global oil prices stabilised.
Recently, President Trump threatened new strikes if Iran’s nuclear program resumed.
In response, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman accused the US of violating international law, adding that Iran has no interest in entering new negotiations.
