Pentagon: US Airstrikes Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Two Years

The Pentagon announced that recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have significantly delayed Iran's nuclear program, pushing it back by an estimated two years, according to Department of Defense spokesperson Sean Parnell.

Speaking at a press briefing late Wednesday, Parnell stated, “The official assessment from the Department is that Iran’s nuclear development timeline has been set back by approximately two years.” This follows a series of coordinated U.S. strikes on June 22, targeting three of Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities — Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz — during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.

The attacks employed over a dozen GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs, each weighing nearly 13.6 metric tons, designed to penetrate deeply buried targets. The offensive marks one of the most aggressive U.S. actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in over a decade.

Fallout and Skepticism

Despite the Pentagon’s confidence in the mission’s success, global reactions remain divided. Former President Donald Trump declared the strikes had “eliminated” Iran’s nuclear capability, particularly citing the destruction of the heavily fortified Fordow facility.

However, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi offered a more cautious view earlier this week. He warned that Tehran may still be capable of enriching uranium within months, raising concerns that Iran could reconstitute parts of its nuclear program faster than anticipated.

Iran Suspends Cooperation with IAEA

In a move likely to heighten tensions further, Iran officially suspended cooperation with the IAEA on Wednesday. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ratified legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, making IAEA inspections conditional on approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce condemned the move as “unacceptable,” urging Tehran to “cooperate fully and without delay” with the international watchdog.

Strategic and Diplomatic Implications

The new Iranian legislation is seen by many as a direct response to both the Israeli strikes that preceded U.S. intervention and perceived IAEA bias toward Western nations. The law effectively grants Iran the right to deny or delay nuclear site inspections — a decision that has already rattled oil markets and pushed prices up by 3% amid concerns of broader regional instability.

While the U.S. strikes have clearly dealt a tactical blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, analysts warn the long-term strategic impact depends on Iran’s ability to rebuild — and the international community’s ability to verify whether it does.