Hegseth Gives Briefing On US Strike
The United States’ coordinated precision strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend inflicted extensive damage, with confirmation of severe destruction coming from Iranian, Israeli, and U.S. officials. The consensus among the three governments marks a rare moment of alignment on the scale of the operation’s impact.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei acknowledged the extent of the damage, stating in an interview with Al Jazeera that “our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.” Israel’s Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reinforced that assessment, stating that Iran’s nuclear program was “significantly damaged.” Israel’s Atomic Energy Commission went further, describing the U.S. strikes as “devastating,” particularly at the underground Fordo facility, which it said is now inoperable.
HEGSETH: “President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history and it was a resounding success resulting in a ceasefire agreement and the end of the twelve day war.” pic.twitter.com/fWgvHAxXlU
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 26, 2025
According to Israeli intelligence, the combination of American strikes and simultaneous Israeli operations targeting elements of Iran’s military nuclear infrastructure have set back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions by years. They noted that the effectiveness of the mission will depend on preventing Iran from reacquiring nuclear material.
From the U.S. side, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine detailed the operation’s scale: over 125 aircraft, including B-2 bombers, stealth fighters, aerial tankers, and support aircraft, participated in the mission. Caine confirmed that all three main targets sustained “extremely severe damage.”
🔥🔥🔥HEGSETH SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT, lists all the intelligence assessments that CONFIRM the U.S. airstrikes were a success and Iran’s nuclear facilities were:
“Destroyed”
“Rendered…inoperable”
“Significantly damaged…setting [the nuclear program] back by years.” pic.twitter.com/oNutfKrfwT
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 26, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the impact of the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, specifically pointing to Fordo’s destruction. Hegseth dismissed contrary reports as “speculation with other motives.”
These statements were issued in response to a leaked, low-confidence intelligence report suggesting the strikes may have been less effective. The Defense Intelligence Agency clarified that the report was based on early intelligence and remains under review. The agency is also investigating the unauthorized leak.
“IT’S IRRESPONSIBLE.”
Hegseth SHAMES the media for reporting on a leaked “preliminary” “low confidence” report in an attempt to cast doubt on the success of U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/upmwztr1WQ
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 26, 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio refuted the leaked report, calling it inaccurate. “Iran’s nuclear program today looks nothing like it did just a week ago,” he stated, calling the mission “complete and total obliteration.”
International observers also support the assessment. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi cited “very significant damage,” noting that key facilities at Esfahan, Natanz, and Fordo were struck. At Fordo, he confirmed that centrifuges were no longer operational due to vibration damage from the strikes.
President Trump, currently attending the NATO summit in the Netherlands, received praise for the operation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commended Trump’s decisive leadership, calling him both “a man of strength” and “a man of peace.” Rutte acknowledged Trump’s role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran in the days following the attack.