US military bombers conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday using a series of 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.
The aftermath of the strikes is being closely monitored to assess the extent of the setback to Iran’s nuclear program.
“I have not come across any intelligence suggesting that items were moved or altered from their original positions,” Hegseth mentioned during a lively press conference.
President Donald Trump, present at the briefing, echoed Hegseth’s statement, emphasizing that the removal of any materials would have taken too long.
“The vehicles seen at the site were attributed to construction workers attempting to conceal the shafts. Nothing was taken from the facility,” Trump posted on social media, though evidence was not provided.
Experts have cautioned that Iran likely relocated a significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium out of the deeply buried Fordow site prior to the strikes, potentially hiding it in undisclosed locations unknown to international nuclear inspectors.
Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies revealed “unusual activity” at Fordow on Thursday and Friday, with a long line of vehicles outside the facility entrance. An Iranian source informed Reuters that a majority of the 60% highly enriched uranium had been moved to a secret location before the attack.
URANIUM LOCATION
According to European intelligence assessments cited by the Financial Times, Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile remains largely intact as it was not concentrated at Fordow.
Hegseth’s denial of these claims occurred during the same briefing where he accused journalists of downplaying the success of the US strikes following a leaked preliminary assessment suggesting that Iran’s setback may only be temporary.
He labeled the assessment as “low confidence” and referenced CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s comments indicating that updated intelligence showed significant damage to Iran’s nuclear program, which would require years to rebuild.
Ratcliffe, Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and General Dan Caine briefed all 100 US Senators on the strikes on Thursday.
During the press conference, Hegseth criticized the media for their perceived bias against Trump, claiming that it affected their reporting on the success of the US strikes.
Trump commended Hegseth’s performance at the news conference, describing it as “one of the greatest, most professional, and most ‘confirming’ News Conferences I have ever seen!”
At the same conference, General Caine focused on technical details, showcasing a video demonstrating the bunker-busting bombs used in the strikes. He emphasized the importance of providing unbiased military advice.
He affirmed that he had not been pressured to alter his assessment of the strikes for political reasons, highlighting the importance of remaining apolitical in his role.
“I have always provided my honest assessment to the president and the secretary, without any external pressure,” Caine stated.
