Nuclear Sites Severely Damaged, Nearly 20,000 Centrifuges Destroyed – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
[Tehran, June 25, 2025]
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the country’s critical nuclear facilities were “severely damaged” in the recent joint U.S.-Israeli attacks.
According to a report by BBC Persian Service, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Al Jazeera in an interview:
“Yes, our nuclear facilities have suffered massive damage, and this is certain — because the sites were targeted multiple times.”
However, he refused to provide detailed information on the extent of the strikes, referring to it as a “technical issue.” He added that a comprehensive analysis is currently being conducted by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and other relevant agencies.
In contrast, a leaked report from the Pentagon claims that the strikes only slowed down Iran’s nuclear program rather than destroying it entirely. Still, former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that
“Iran’s nuclear program has been completely destroyed,” calling it a “historic achievement for global security.”
The U.S.-based Institute for Science and International Security, in an independent analysis, reported that nearly 20,000 centrifuges were destroyed in the strikes, delivering a devastating blow to Iran’s uranium enrichment capability. The institute has been monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities for many years.
According to the report, it will now take Iran several years to restore its previous capacity.
However, the most concerning aspect is the potential survival of stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and centrifuges that were stored outside the Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites — which may still remain intact.
Meanwhile, CNN and The Washington Post have reported that, contradicting President Trump’s claims, White House Press Secretary and U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Steve Whitaker said:
“The nuclear program has not been completely destroyed, but it is now under control. We are seeking a long-term solution through negotiations.”
