CIA Director Says Iran's Nuclear Sites 'severely damaged '

Washington, D.C. – CIA Director John Ratcliffe announced on Wednesday that recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes caused “severe damage” to key Iranian nuclear facilities, likely setting back Tehran’s nuclear program by several years.
Speaking at a White House press briefing, Ratcliffe said a "body of credible intelligence" gathered by the CIA indicates that critical enrichment sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan sustained structural and operational damage, far more extensive than earlier estimates.
“This is not a matter of months. These sites will take years to rebuild,” Ratcliffe stated. “We believe Iran’s capacity to resume weapons-grade enrichment has been significantly degraded.”
The CIA’s assessment contradicts an earlier leak from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which suggested that Iran could resume full-scale operations within six months. Ratcliffe dismissed that report, calling it “premature and unsubstantiated.”
The strikes, launched on June 13 by Israel with intelligence and logistical support from the United States, marked the largest direct military action against Iranian nuclear infrastructure in over a decade. In response, Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles at Israeli military and civilian targets, further escalating tensions in the region.
Iran has not publicly confirmed the extent of the damage to its facilities but has vowed to continue its nuclear development “without compromise.” Iranian state media reported that repairs were already underway, though independent verification remains limited due to restricted access.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was briefed on the intelligence, praised the operation as a “spectacular success” and urged continued vigilance against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has yet to release an official assessment of the situation, but a spokesperson said inspectors would seek access “as soon as conditions allow.”
Diplomatic efforts to restore talks on Iran’s nuclear program remain on hold amid the ongoing military standoff and political uncertainty in both countries.