Iranian leaders caught doubting impact of US strikes - WP reveals leaked talks
Photo: Officials in Tehran doubt the scale of USA attacks (Getty Images)
Intercepted conversations of Iranian officials indicate that US strikes were not as destructive as expected in Tehran. This became known from intelligence data, according to The Washington Post.
The United States obtained intercepted conversations of high-ranking Iranian officials who, in private discussions, expressed surprise and even disappointment that the strikes by the US military on nuclear facilities did not cause the expected massive destruction.
According to the agency’s sources, in conversations that were meant to remain confidential, Iranian officials discussed why President Donald Trump's attacks—which included the use of heavy aerial bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles—did not lead to the complete destruction of key sites in the cities of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Analysts note that although the strikes caused serious damage, the scale of the destruction turned out to be less than what was anticipated in Tehran.
Specifically, there is information that Iran had previously relocated most of its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. The explosions blocked entrances at some sites but did not destroy the underground facilities.
Criticism of Trump
Representatives of the US administration deny this information and insist that an important metal processing plant, crucial for the creation of nuclear weapons, was destroyed.
According to CIA Director John Ratcliffe, it will take years to restore this facility.
However, officials emphasize that intercepted conversations are only part of the overall intelligence picture and cannot serve as the sole criterion for assessing the success of the operation.
Trump responded to the news with criticism of the Democrats and stated that the operation delayed Iran's nuclear program by years. He also expressed doubt about reports that Iran had managed to relocate its uranium stockpiles before the strikes began.
US strike on Iran on June 22
The United States began evacuating its diplomats on June 12 from embassies in the Middle East due to Iran's threats to strike US military bases. On the night of June 13, Israel launched the Rising Lion operation, attacking Iran’s nuclear and military sites.
During this time, there were ongoing rumors about whether the United States would join the operation. In connection with the shelling from Iran, some countries urged their citizens to evacuate from Israel and Iran.
Already on the night of June 22, the United States attacked Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. US President Donald Trump promised that Americans would continue launching strikes if Tehran did not agree to negotiate a new nuclear deal.
