During the past days, it has become evident that the recent events have been marked by a crucial question. Behind the aggressive stance of Donald Trump and the puzzlement it has caused with his statecraft-by-social-media approach, doubts have escalated about the effectiveness of the American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The leaks from the US Defence Department suggest that the bunker-busting bombs targeting Iran’s three nuclear enrichment sites might not have significantly hindered the country’s nuclear capabilities as initially thought.
Sources have stated that the assessment shows the critical components are still intact, a sign that might not bode well for the overall success of the strike. NBC News has reported that the initial assessment by the Defence Intelligence Agency has not considered the airstrikes as effective as Mr. Trump has claimed. The leaks made their way to several reputable news sources.
Question ripples continue about whether Iran may have managed to hide certain equipment, including centrifuges, and the whereabouts of approximately 400 kg of highly enriched uranium remains unknown. The classified assessment of the military operation in Iran has been briefed to Congress with some senators privy to the details in a secure setting. Despite the varying views on the extent of the damage and its implications for Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the whereabouts of sensitive materials and the effectiveness of the operation continue to spark debate and speculation.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/despite-trumps-chest-thumping-critical-questions-loom-about-how-successful-operation-midnight-hammer-really-was-13388211
