U.S. President Donald Trump has vehemently denied reports suggesting that recent U.S. military airstrikes failed to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, labeling such claims as "fake news" propagated by CNN and The New York Times. In a series of posts on his social media platform, Trump insisted that the strikes completely obliterated Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, specifically targeting facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
On June 21, Trump announced that the U.S. military had "completely eliminated" these three key nuclear sites. However, a preliminary intelligence assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), cited by CNN and The New York Times on June 24, suggested otherwise. The report indicated that the airstrikes likely set back Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months, leaving critical components, such as uranium enrichment centrifuges, largely intact. The New York Times further noted that the strikes merely sealed the entrances to two facilities without destroying their underground structures.
Trump responded forcefully, accusing CNN and The New York Times of undermining what he described as "one of the most successful military strikes in history." He specifically targeted CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand, claiming she fabricated details to discredit U.S. pilots. In a post on June 25, Trump wrote, “CNN should fire Natasha Bertrand immediately. She’s been making up fake news for three days and should be thrown out like a dog!” He further criticized the outlets for damaging their credibility and disrespecting the pilots who carried out the mission.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an open letter to the Iranian people on June 24, declared that attempts by "enemies" to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities and incite social unrest had failed. Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, echoed this sentiment, stating that the government had taken measures to ensure the nuclear program’s continuity despite the U.S. and Israeli strikes.
The conflicting narratives highlight ongoing tensions between the U.S. administration and media, as well as the broader geopolitical struggle with Iran. While Trump, en route to a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, criticized mainstream media for unfair reporting, the DIA’s assessment suggests that Iran’s nuclear capabilities remain resilient, potentially complicating U.S. strategic objectives in the region.