The United States presented details of its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in a news conference. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Den Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed on the planning and execution of the attack last week. A US official confirmed that 12 bunker-buster bombs were deployed. General Caine shared test footage of the strikes.
Hegseth disputed reports suggesting the strikes were ineffective, stating they obliterated the sites. The Pentagon showed videos demonstrating the bombs’ functionality. Gen. Caine explained that the bombs cause damage through blast, fragmentation, and overpressure.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) confirmed that the strikes severely damaged Tehran’s key nuclear facilities. The CIA stated that it would take years to rebuild the destroyed structures. The CIA’s confirmation came amidst reports suggesting the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites caused minimal damage. Initial assessments from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested the attacks caused only temporary disruption, potentially setting Tehran’s nuclear program back by a few months. President Trump announced the media briefing to counter what the administration calls “misleading and premature reporting” by US media outlets.