Advertisement
We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you’ve seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
One-off amount
I already contribute
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Investigates
Investigates
Money Diaries
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
The Journal TV
Climate Crisis
Cost of Living
Road Safety
Newsletters
Temperature Check
Inside the Newsroom
The Journal Investigates
The Explainer
A deep dive into one big news story
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Advertisement
More Stories
Donald Trump arrives for a formal dinner during the Nato Summit in The Hague.Alamy Stock Photo
leaked intelligence
Trump rejects leaked intel that says US strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear programme
Despite the leaked report stating the strikes has likely only set it back months, Trump insists the sites were “completely destroyed”.
6.56am, 25 Jun 2025
Share options
AN EARLY INTELLIGENCE assessment found that the US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of Tehran’s nuclear programme, and likely only set it back by months.
While over a dozen bombs were dropped on two of the nuclear facilities, the Fordo Fuel Enrichment plant and the Natanz Enrichment Complex, they did not fully eliminate the sites’ centrifuges and highly enriched uranium, CNN reported.
The strikes sealed off entrances to some facilities without destroying underground buildings, according to the report.
The assessment was produced by the Defence Intelligence Agency – the Pentagon’s intelligence arm – and is based on a battle damage assessment conducted by the US Central Command after the US strikes.
The report by the Defence Intelligence Agency estimated that the programme was delayed less than six months, the New York Times said in another report.
Trump has rejected this.
In a post on Truth Social the US president said “THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!”.
Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment site at Fordo.PA
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously confirmed the authenticity of the assessment but said it was “flat-out wrong”.
Advertisement
Leavitt responded to the reports on social media: “The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program.”
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also declared a “historic victory” against Iran, despite the leaked US intelligence report.
Netanyahu, in an address to the nation after the ceasefire, announced that “we have thwarted Iran’s nuclear project”.
“And if anyone in Iran tries to rebuild it, we will act with the same determination, with the same intensity, to foil any attempt,” he said.
Israel had said its bombing campaign, which began on 13 June, was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, an ambition Tehran has consistently denied.
Israel’s military said that its strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear programme “by years”.
After Trump angrily berated both sides for early violations of the truce yesterday, Iran announced it would respect the terms of the deal if Israel did the same, while Israel said it had refrained from further strikes.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country was willing to return to negotiations over its nuclear programme, but that his country would continue to “assert its legitimate rights” to the peaceful use of atomic energy.
‘Everyone is tired’
Some Israelis welcomed the prospect of a truce.
“Everyone is tired. We just want to have some peace of mind,” said Tel Aviv resident Tammy Shel. “For us, for the Iranian people, for the Palestinians, for everyone in the region.”
In Iran, people remained uncertain whether the peace would hold.
Related Reads
Israel says ‘campaign against Iran not over’ after Iranian president announces ‘end of 12-day war’
Watch: Trump says Israel and Iran ‘don’t know what the f**k they’re doing’
Amir, 28, fled from Tehran to the Caspian Sea coast and told AFP by phone, “I really don’t know… about the ceasefire but honestly, I don’t think things will return to normal.”
Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 610 civilians and wounded more than 4,700, according to the health ministry.
A damaged apartment in Tehran, Iran.Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Iran’s attacks on Israel have killed 28 people, according to official figures and rescuers.
The international community reacted with cautious optimism to the truce.
Saudi Arabia and the European Union welcomed Trump’s announcement, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia hoped “that this will be a sustainable ceasefire”.
But French President Emmanuel Macron warned there was an “increased” risk that Iran would attempt to enrich uranium secretly following the strikes on its nuclear sites.
After the truce was announced, Israel’s military chief Eyal Zamir said Israel’s focus would now shift back to Gaza.
The Israeli opposition, the Palestinian Authority and the main group representing the families of Israeli hostages all called for a Gaza truce to complement the Iran ceasefire.
With reporting from Andrew Walsh
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone…
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Support The Journal
Andrew Walsh
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “Trump rejects leaked intel that says US strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear programme”.
Recipient’s Email
Feedback on “Trump rejects leaked intel that says US strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear programme”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment…
leaked intelligence
News in 60 seconds
InvestigatesLaughing Gas
‘Devastating’ nitrous oxide available to buy on popular Irish websites
Conor O’Carroll
The Big Apple
Zohran Mamdani pulls off major upset by defeating Andrew Cuomo in New York mayoral primary
12 mins ago
fintan traynor
Gardaí renew information appeal on 14th anniversary of fatal hit-and-run collision in Monaghan
34 mins ago
Average price of second-hand house in Dublin reaches €600,000
Women’s Aid
One in three Irish women who called helpline over abuse were facing it from ex-partner
Ireland has third lowest childhood vaccine coverage among high-income nations
Report suggests US strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear programme by months
As it happened
Israel says ‘campaign against Iran not over’ after Iranian president announces ‘end of 12-day war’
Man (40s) arrested after man killed in hit-and-run in north Dublin
O’Connell Street
Mary Lou McDonald says plans to revamp GPO as mixed used ‘cultural’ hub is a ‘betrayal of history’
‘Dear Donald…’: NATO chief sends gushing message, as Trump arrives at high-stakes summit
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online