In a striking divergence from official narratives, an early assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggests that recent military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have not achieved the complete destruction of the country's nuclear capabilities as proclaimed by President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. According to sources familiar with the intelligence report, the strikes, which targeted key sites including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Natanz Enrichment Complex, have only temporarily set back Iran's nuclear ambitions by a few months.

The assessment, which remains classified but was leaked to CNN, indicates that while aboveground structures suffered significant damage, the core components of Iran's nuclear program, including centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpiles, remain largely intact. This revelation stands in stark contrast to President Trump's assertions that the strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities. The White House, however, has dismissed the DIA's findings, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt labeling the leak as an attempt to undermine the administration's achievements.

The operation, executed with the aid of Israel's prior strikes and the deployment of US B-2 bombers armed with 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs, was initially hailed as an overwhelming success. Yet, the DIA's report raises questions about the efficacy of these bombs against deeply fortified underground facilities like those at Fordow and Isfahan. Despite the Pentagon's confidence in the operation's success, the assessment suggests that Iran's nuclear infrastructure could be swiftly reconstituted, posing ongoing challenges to US and allied efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The situation is further complicated by the cancellation of classified briefings for both the House and Senate, with no clear explanation provided for the delays. This has fueled speculation about the administration's ability to substantiate its claims of success. Democratic Representative Pat Ryan has openly criticized the postponement, suggesting it reflects an inability to support the President's bold declarations.

As the US continues to gather intelligence on the ground in Iran, the full impact of the strikes remains uncertain. Analysts like Jeffrey Lewis from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies caution that the ceasefire announced by President Trump may not signify the end of Iran's nuclear threat. The persistence of key underground facilities, potentially serving as a foundation for rapid nuclear program reconstitution, underscores the complexity of the geopolitical landscape and the ongoing challenges in achieving long-term nuclear disarmament in the region.