A U.S. military strike on one of Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities last month caused significant destruction, setting operations at that site back by up to two years. However, two other facilities targeted in the same operation were less severely damaged and could potentially resume uranium enrichment within several months, according to a recent U.S. intelligence assessment shared with NBC News by five current and former U.S. officials.
The assessment—part of the Trump administration’s ongoing monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program—has been shared with members of Congress, Pentagon officials, and allied governments in recent days.
NBC News has also learned that U.S. Central Command originally devised a far more expansive military plan, which included strikes on three additional targets and would have unfolded over several weeks. According to one current and two former officials, President Donald Trump reviewed that broader plan but ultimately rejected it, citing concerns about prolonged conflict and the potential for high casualties.
“We had the option to go all in, but the president chose a more restrained approach,” said one official familiar with the planning.
Despite his decision to limit the strikes, Trump praised the targeted operation—codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer—as a “spectacular military success,” declaring Iran’s key nuclear facilities “completely and totally obliterated.”
Yet, intelligence gathered since the attacks presents a more nuanced picture. While the strike on the underground Fordo facility was highly effective—reportedly setting Iran’s nuclear program back by years—damage to the Natanz and Isfahan sites was more limited, and enrichment capabilities there could be restored more quickly if Iran chooses to rebuild.
Limited Damage at Two Sites, Renewed Risk of Escalation
The Fordo site, buried deep within a mountain, was the primary target of America’s massive 30,000-pound GBU-57 “bunker buster” bombs—used in combat for the first time. Officials say the strike significantly degraded Iran’s ability to enrich uranium at that site. Natanz and Isfahan, however, are believed to have deeper underground tunnels that may have shielded parts of their operations from even these powerful weapons.
Tomahawk missiles were used at Isfahan, and GBU-57s were deployed at Natanz, but neither site sustained damage comparable to Fordo’s. Intelligence reports indicate that while some facilities were hit, large portions of enriched uranium may remain buried and potentially recoverable.
Still, U.S. and Israeli officials believe any attempt by Iran to extract this material or restart operations would trigger immediate retaliatory strikes.
Trump Administration Emphasizes Success
White House officials insist the operation achieved its core objectives. “As the President has said and experts have verified, Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell echoed the sentiment, calling comparisons between media reports and the damage done “as destroyed as Iran’s nuclear sites.” He added: “This was a significant blow, and the president’s leadership deserves credit.”
The CIA, during a classified briefing to lawmakers, reportedly confirmed that Iran’s only uranium metal conversion facility at Natanz was so badly damaged it would take years to rebuild. Intelligence agencies also believe much of the enriched uranium at Isfahan and Fordo is buried and inaccessible.
While Israel believes some uranium remains intact beneath the Isfahan site, it considers the material unreachable due to close surveillance and the threat of future airstrikes.
“All-In” Plan Would Have Extended Conflict
According to U.S. and former military officials, Army Gen. Erik Kurilla of Central Command had developed a broader operation targeting six sites and including Iran’s air defenses and missile infrastructure. This option would have required sustained bombings over weeks and was expected to cause heavy Iranian casualties.
President Trump rejected the broader campaign, maintaining his long-held view of avoiding prolonged foreign conflicts.
A History of Escalation
Trump’s decision comes amid long-standing tensions with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. In 2018, he withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-era nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had limited Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Since the U.S. withdrawal, Iran resumed uranium enrichment, accumulating enough fissile material for an estimated nine to ten nuclear bombs. The recent strikes, combined with Israeli air raids in June, were intended to cripple those capabilities.
Iran has consistently claimed its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, a stance its foreign minister reiterated to NBC News shortly before the U.S. strikes.
Future Strikes Still on the Table
President Trump has not ruled out further action. Asked in June whether he’d consider another strike if intelligence showed Iran resuming nuclear work, he replied, “Sure. Without question. Absolutely.”
U.S. officials say Iran’s air defenses have been virtually wiped out, leaving it vulnerable to future attacks.
“Rebuilding anything significant would be extremely difficult for them,” said a White House official. “They know we’re watching. Closely.”
