A classified Pentagon assessment has concluded that the recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites have set back Tehran’s capabilities by only a few months, casting doubt on the long-term effectiveness of the operation and reigniting debate over Washington’s broader Middle East strategy.
The strikes, authorised by President Trump last week, targeted a number of key facilities believed to be central to Iran’s nuclear development, including underground enrichment sites and missile storage locations. While initial military reports suggested a significant impact, the new internal analysis paints a more limited picture.
According to senior defence officials familiar with the report, the strikes caused “moderate structural damage” and disrupted uranium processing at two sites, but failed to destroy the centrifuge infrastructure or eliminate critical technical staff. Iran’s ability to rebuild and reconstitute its programme remains intact, the report notes, with estimates suggesting a delay of no more than six to nine months in its nuclear timeline.
The findings are likely to fuel further controversy in Washington, where both the decision to strike and its potential fallout have divided lawmakers. Republicans have largely praised the operation as a strong show of resolve, while Democrats, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy, have questioned the timing, legality, and broader consequences of escalating military confrontation with Iran.
In Tehran, the government has condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” but has thus far refrained from full-scale retaliation. Instead, Iranian officials have vowed to accelerate enrichment efforts and to suspend further cooperation with international nuclear inspectors.
Analysts say the limited setback to Iran’s programme could embolden hardliners on both sides. “The strikes may have achieved tactical surprise but strategically they risk playing into Iran’s narrative of resistance,” said a former US intelligence official.
Internationally, the response remains mixed. European leaders have expressed deep concern over the escalation and urged both sides to avoid further confrontation. Russia and China have both criticised the United States, calling the attack destabilising and counterproductive.
With the Pentagon report now circulating among senior officials, pressure is mounting on the White House to outline its long-term objectives in the region. While the administration insists that the operation was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, critics argue that the short-term delay comes at a high diplomatic cost and could trigger a new cycle of instability across the Middle East.
REFH – newshub finance
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