EXPOSED - U.S. Bombers Set to Strike Iran's Nuclear Sites Again—Preparations Intensify

Assessments of the American strikes on Iranian facilities related to the Islamic Republic's nuclear program continue to diverge: while the US authorities claim that these attacks were an unconditional success, the media publish intelligence data indicating that Tehran's nuclear program was not destroyed as part of this operation. Thus, the Financial Times writes, citing two European officials familiar with the intelligence data, that Iran has managed to protect a significant portion of its enriched uranium reserves. Tehran is believed to have moved about 408 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level close to weapons grade, before the attacks. The material was distributed among various sites in advance, rather than being concentrated solely at the Fordow nuclear complex, the sources said. EU authorities are currently awaiting a more complete intelligence report on the impact of the airstrikes, in particular on the condition of the underground facilities at Fordow, located in the mountainous area near Qom. According to available information, the damage affected mainly the above-ground infrastructure, while the deeper parts of the complex may have survived. Before that, several American media outlets wrote that the attacks on three key nuclear facilities did not lead to the complete destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. In particular, the New York Times reported that approximately 400 kg of enriched uranium were removed several days before the strike, and the transportation was carried out in small batches, including delivery in cars from the complex in Isfahan.
Such media publications have caused great indignation in the Pentagon. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has sharply criticized the American media, accusing them of distorting facts and bias against the Donald Trump administration, Sky News reports . Citing Israeli and American sources, the Pentagon chief said they confirmed significant damage to Iranian nuclear facilities. If it is confirmed that Iran is preserving its uranium reserves, it is not ruled out that US heavy bombers will again attack nuclear facilities in this country. Earlier, media reported that the White House was preparing to limit information exchange with Congress after the leak of data on strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Sources said that the FBI had already initiated an investigation into the leak of information.