On June 29th, local time, President Trump stated that he had completely destroyed three nuclear facilities in Iran, where “now there are only a few thousand tons of rocks.” On the same day, the U.S. Department of Defense accused media reports of limited impact on the strike as “fake news.”
As of now, there is still no unanimous stance among parties regarding the damage to Iranian nuclear facilities related to its nuclear capabilities and whether uranium enrichment has been transferred.
Meanwhile, Iran made strong responses to the conflict on June 29th.
Statements on the damage to Iranian nuclear facilities remain inconclusive.
Trump: Completely Destructed Three Nuclear Facilities in Iran
On June 29th, local time, President Trump announced that the U.S. attack on the Forodan nuclear facility in Iran had completely destroyed the target site. Trump stated, “Now there are only a few thousand tons of rocks there, and the entire area has been destroyed. The other two nuclear facilities in Iran have also been destroyed.”
Trump claimed that Israel caused destruction to Iranian nuclear facilities, but the United States was responsible for the final destruction.
Trump denied that Iran had moved anything before the U.S. initiated an attack.
Intelligence suggests Iranian officials believed the destruction was not as expected
On the same day, The Washington Post quoted four sources familiar with U.S. government intelligence, saying that the U.S. intercepted communications between senior Iranian officials about this month’s military strike on Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian officials indicated that the attack’s destructive power did not meet their expectations.
Insiders revealed that the private conversation was intended to be held, with Iranian government officials speculating why the U.S. strike did not have the destructiveness and broad impact they anticipated.
U.S. Department of Defense Accuses Reports of “Fake News”
Later that day, U.S. Department of Defense spokesperson Sean Penner reposted a report by The Washington Post on social media and criticized it.
Shane Parnell stated, “Mainstream media is weaponizing America and its outstanding military forces, deliberately using incomplete, distorted, and entirely false intelligence assessments. It seems to be following orders from the Iranian propaganda machine. This is not journalism, but political action.”
IAEA: Iran May Produce Enriched Uranium Within a Month
In an interview with CBS, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, mentioned that despite the damage to several nuclear facilities in Iran and Israel, Iran still possesses the capability to produce enriched uranium within a few months. He called on all parties to return to the negotiation table.
Grossi indicated that intelligence shows that after the attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, they were severely damaged but not completely destroyed. Iran still has the capacity for production and possesses the necessary industrial and technological capabilities. With just a few months, Iran could get centrifuges running and producing enriched uranium.
Grossi called for all parties to return to the negotiation table, seeking a long-term solution to the nuclear issue through diplomatic means. He also noted that this is now an opportunity.
Iraqi Chief of Staff: Doubts About the Persistence of the Ceasefire
△Abdelali Sami, Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces (Photo)
In the early hours of June 29th local time, Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman said he had spoken with Abdelali Sami, the Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces.
During their conversation, Sami expressed doubts about the persistence of the ceasefire and was prepared to respond to any aggression. Sami stated that during Iran’s restraint and indirect negotiations with the United States, Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iranian territory. The actions of both countries have repeatedly demonstrated their disregard for any international norms and standards. In this ongoing 12-day conflict, the world has once again clearly seen this.
Musavi emphasized that Iran did not initiate the war, but vigorously retaliated against aggression. Iran is skeptical about whether the enemy will fulfill its commitments, including ceasefires, and is prepared to retaliate decisively in the event of further aggression.
Iranian military: A stronger counterattack if aggression occurs again
On June 19th local time, Iran fired missiles at Israel, which was intercepted by Israel’s air defense system.
On June 29th local time, the Central Command of Hatab Anbiya in Iran stated that the Iranian people have proven their unity in the face of aggression and brutal acts. They also possess advanced homeland military and defense equipment and technology, which they used to “punish” the aggressors. The Iranian armed forces are closely monitoring the movements of the enemy and are fully prepared to respond to any aggression. If aggression occurs again, Iran will take a stronger counterattack.
Iran demands the United Nations recognize the “responsibility” of the US and the US for the war
On June 29th local time, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, requesting the Security Council to identify Israel and the US as the aggressors and hold them accountable for their responsibilities, including war compensation.
The letter stated that since June 13th, Israel has openly violated the United Nations Charter by launching an aggression against Iran, deliberately attacking multiple residential areas and civilian infrastructure, seriously violating international law. Nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Kum, Alak, Natanz, and Isfahan have also become targets of attacks by the US and Israel, severely violating the United Nations Charter, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and relevant resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The letter requests the Security Council to confirm Israel’s aggression, identify Israel and the US as the aggressors, and hold them accountable for their responsibilities, including war compensation. “Military and political leaders who planned the aggression should also bear personal criminal responsibility.”