US re-asserts 2025 strikes ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear programme | Politics News
White House Insists Iran’s Nuclear Program Destroyed Despite Recent Claims
The White House reaffirmed on Tuesday its stance that last year’s military strikes effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear program. This statement follows comments from a senior U.S. official suggesting that Iran is approaching a critical threshold in its nuclear capabilities.
Karoline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, asserted that the June 2025 attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, known as Operation Midnight Hammer, was an “overwhelmingly successful mission.” She claimed the operation “obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities.”
However, Steve Witkoff, an envoy for former President Donald Trump, indicated over the weekend that Iran might be just a week away from securing enough material to produce a nuclear weapon. During a Fox News interview, Witkoff stated, “They’re probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material.”
Since the strikes, Trump has repeatedly advocated for the operation, asserting it neutralized Iran’s nuclear ambitions and contributed to peace in the Middle East. The military action took place amidst a 12-day conflict initiated by Israel against Iran.
Despite these assertions, U.S. and Iranian officials are currently engaged in negotiations aimed at reviving a nuclear deal and preventing further escalation. On Tuesday, Leavitt noted that the destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities has been “verified” by Trump and the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“There is no guarantee that Iran will not attempt to revive a nuclear program that could threaten the United States and our allies,” Leavitt cautioned, emphasizing the administration’s goal to prevent such a scenario.
IAEA Director Rafael Grossi stated last year that Iran could potentially resume uranium enrichment “in a matter of months.” However, inspectors from the agency have not been able to access Iranian nuclear sites since the U.S. attacks.
The Pentagon assessed that the airstrikes effectively delayed Iran’s nuclear program by one to two years. There has been no official confirmation regarding whether Iran has resumed nuclear enrichment activities post-attack.
Tensions have remained heightened since a December visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Trump reiterated threats against Iran should it attempt to rebuild its nuclear or missile capabilities. The U.S. has since bolstered its military presence near Iran in response.
Despite these tensions, negotiations aimed at a nuclear deal are proceeding, with Iran expressing readiness to accept limited uranium enrichment under strict IAEA supervision in exchange for sanctions relief. In contrast, Trump has maintained that the U.S. seeks a complete halt to uranium enrichment.
Uranium enrichment involves isolating isotopes of uranium to produce nuclear fission. While low-level enrichment can be used for civilian energy purposes, levels approaching 90 percent are suitable for nuclear weapons. Before the June 2025 military conflict, Iran was enriching uranium at 60 percent purity.
Iran has been advancing its nuclear program since 2018 when Trump withdrew from a multilateral agreement that limited enrichment to 3.67 percent and enacted a series of economic sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign.
On Tuesday, the White House reiterated that military action remains an option if diplomatic efforts fail. “President Trump’s first option is always diplomacy,” Leavitt said, “but he is willing to use the lethal force of the United States military if necessary.”
