According to NBC News on July 17 (local time), the U.S. government determined that one of the three Iranian nuclear facilities targeted in the strike was mostly destroyed. However, the other two sites did not suffer significant damage, and the assessment concluded that Iran could resume uranium enrichment at those locations within months if it chooses. NBC reported that this internal U.S. government evaluation of the attack's outcome was recently shared with lawmakers, Pentagon officials, and allied nations.
It was also reported that President Donald Trump rejected a plan for a broader assault on Iran's nuclear facilities. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East, had prepared a plan to strike three additional nuclear sites beyond those already targeted. The operation was expected to last for several weeks. However, President Trump, after being briefed on the plan, rejected it. This decision was reportedly based on concerns over potential casualties on both sides and his foreign policy principle of minimizing U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts.
The U.S. and Israeli governments also discussed the possibility of additional airstrikes on the two nuclear facilities that were not completely destroyed. They considered launching further attacks if Iran failed to promptly engage in nuclear negotiations with the U.S. or if signs emerged that Iran was working to restore the damaged sites.
On June 21, the U.S. carried out the "Midnight Hammer" operation, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Trump declared after the operation that Iran's nuclear facilities had been completely and thoroughly destroyed. When some U.S. media outlets reported that the destruction was only partial, President Trump dismissed these reports as "fake news."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
