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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States has reported 鈥渃redible intelligence鈥 indicating that the US attack on Iran significantly damaged its nuclear program, despite earlier leaked intelligence reports suggesting otherwise.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated on Thursday that new intelligence from a historically reliable source shows that several critical Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed, and would require years to rebuild.
The US targeted three of Iran鈥檚 nuclear facilities last weekend 鈥 specifically Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan 鈥 with President Donald Trump claiming the strikes 鈥渙bliterated鈥 these sites.
What have Israel and Iran said?
Israel鈥檚 nuclear agency assessed the strikes had 鈥渟et back Iran鈥檚 ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years鈥.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has also confirmed that the facilities have been 鈥渂adly damaged鈥.
鈥淭hat [damage] is certain, because [those facilities] have been under repeated attacks,鈥 he told Al Jazeera.
The United Nations鈥 nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi has stated that some of Iran鈥檚 highly enriched uranium may have survived the attacks, as Tehran could have moved it shortly after the initial strikes.
鈥榃e鈥檙e going to talk to them next week鈥
Speaking in The Hague during the NATO summit, Trump said he would likely seek a commitment from Iran to end its nuclear ambitions at talks next week.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to talk to them next week, with Iran. We may sign an agreement. I don鈥檛 know. To me, I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 that necessary,鈥 Trump said.
He did not give details on the discussions, such as the venue and participants.
Trump said he was confident Tehran would pursue a diplomatic path now, despite the recent conflict.
If Iran tried to rebuild its nuclear program, 鈥渨e won鈥檛 let that happen鈥, he said.
Different signals from Iran
However, different parts of the government in Iran have sent different messages about the future of its nuclear program.
On Wednesday, in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said they are 鈥渞eady to resolve issues between themselves and the US based on international frameworks鈥.
But he also conceded that the strikes on Iran鈥檚 nuclear facilities will have wide impacts on its nuclear program.
On the other hand, on Wednesday, Iran鈥檚 parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Iran鈥檚 unelected Guardian Council would need to approve it for it to become law. The bill requires any future inspection by the IAEA to get approval from the Supreme National Security Council.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf was quoted by state media as also saying Iran would accelerate its nuclear plan.
The country鈥檚 supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is known for making the final decision in such situations, has not yet publicly commented on the matter.
鈥 With additional reporting by Reuters.