U.S. airstrikes set back Iran’s nuclear programme by up to two years, says pentagon

By Defence Industry Europe

On October 16, the United States Air Force (USAF) carried out a precision strike against five underground weapons storage facilities in Houthi-controlled Yemen using B-2 Spirit stealth bombers. The mission, conducted by bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, was announced by the 131st Bomb Wing press service in a statement released on November 22.
Photo: Northrop Grumman/U.S. Air Force.

The U.S. Department of Defense has assessed that Iran’s nuclear programme has been delayed by at least a year following American airstrikes on three critical nuclear facilities last month. The Pentagon confirmed the operations targeted key sites at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that the programme had been degraded by “one to two years” as a result of the strikes. “I think we’re thinking probably closer to two years, like degraded their program by two years,” Parnell said during the briefing.

Parnell also highlighted the extent of the damage caused by the strikes on the Iranian facilities. “We believe, and certainly, all of the intelligence that we’ve seen have led us to believe that Iran’s — those facilities especially, have been completely obliterated,” he added.

The targeted sites are known to play a central role in Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, and the assessment suggests a significant setback to the country’s atomic ambitions. The Pentagon’s conclusion is based on current intelligence gathered in the aftermath of the airstrikes.

 

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