What the intelligence report on US strike
As we have been reporting, an early Pentagon intelligence assessment of America’s attack on Iran on Saturday has cast doubt on the administration’s claims that the nuclear programme was “obliterated”.
The US struck three nuclear facilities in Iran – Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan – with “bunker buster” bombs capable of penetrating 18m (60ft) of concrete or 61m (200ft) of earth before exploding.
But sources familiar with the assessment say Iran’s centrifuges are largely “intact” and the impact was limited to aboveground structures.
Entrances to two nuclear facilities were sealed off, and some infrastructure was destroyed or damaged but much of the facilities, which are deep underground, were intact.
The anonymous sources told US media it is estimated the attack only set Iran back “a few months, tops”, and that any resumption of its nuclear programme may be based on how long it takes the country to dig out and make repairs.
Sources also confirmed to CBS that some of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile was moved before the strikes, according to the intelligence assessment.
