Trump Declares Iran Strike a Success, but US and Israeli Officials Say Fordo Site Not Destroyed

Washington (Quds News Network)- US President Donald Trump on Sunday said the US strike on Iran’s nuclear sites was a “complete success.” He claimed that the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.”

But US and Israeli military assessments offer a different view.

A senior US official, cited by the New York Times, confirmed that the Fordo site, Iran’s most fortified nuclear facility, was not destroyed. However, he said it was “severely damaged” and taken “off the table.” According to him, even 12 bunker-busting bombs could not fully destroy Fordo.

Israeli initial assessment aligns with that. Two Israeli officials said the site was heavily damaged but still standing. They believe Iran moved uranium and equipment from Fordo shortly before the strike.

The US dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs on three nuclear sites, including Fordo. New satellite images show entry holes and disturbed ground near the strike zone. The images were captured by Planet Labs shortly after the bombing.

Maxar Technologies also released photos from the area. They show 16 cargo trucks near one entrance to Fordo. Analysts at the Open Source Centre in London believe Iran may have been preparing for a possible attack by moving materials out.

Israeli intelligence monitored the site closely in the days leading up to the strike. Officials believe the movement of cargo before the bombing could indicate Iran’s awareness of an impending attack.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters that the government is still “calculating the damages.”