Iran Acknowledges Significant Damage to Nuclear Facilities Following U.S. Strikes

In a groundbreaking admission, Iran’s Foreign Minister stated that the nation’s nuclear sites have suffered serious damage from recent U.S. military actions, contradicting earlier assertions by Iran’s supreme leader.

In a significant development, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disclosed on Thursday that the nation’s nuclear facilities experienced “significant and serious damages” due to U.S. airstrikes targeting three key nuclear sites. This was the first official confirmation of considerable damage, reported during an interview with state television shortly after a nuclear meeting with the European Union in Geneva. Araghchi noted that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is currently assessing the full scope of the destruction, claiming, “the losses have not been small, and our facilities have been seriously damaged.”

This admission directly opposed comments made earlier that day by Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a prerecorded address, Khamenei asserted that the U.S. attacks failed to achieve significant impact, labeling claims by U.S. officials regarding the obliteration of Iranian facilities as “exaggerated.”

Araghchi also raised concerns over Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), hinting that the country might limit collaboration with the UN's nuclear watchdog. He specifically stated that Iran would not permit a visit from IAEA Director Rafael Grossi at this time.

Further escalating tensions, Iran’s Guardian Council—a powerful body that oversees legislation—approved a bill from hard-liners in Parliament that would effectively halt all cooperation with the IAEA as retaliation for U.S. strikes on the Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities over the weekend. This decision reveals the growing divide and hostility as diplomatic efforts remain stalled between Iran and the West.