CIA: Iran's Nuclear Program Reconstruction to Take Years

The CIA believes it will take years to rebuild Iran's nuclear program following recent U.S. strikes. CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that credible intelligence indicates severe damage to Iranian nuclear facilities.

According to Ratcliffe, multiple Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. This statement contradicts a preliminary analysis by the Defense Intelligence Agency, which reported that the strikes only delayed Iran's ability to produce a nuclear weapon by a few months. The White House called this assessment 'incorrect,' while President Donald Trump stated that the strikes 'eliminated' Iran's capability.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also stated that 'new intelligence' supports the view that Iran's nuclear facilities were destroyed and that it would take years to rebuild the facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan.