Israel’s top military official has announced that Iran’s nuclear program suffered severe, long-term damage during the recent 12-day conflict.
Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the damage inflicted was not limited to a single strike but amounted to a “systemic” blow.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the statement was issued on Wednesday following an internal assessment by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Intelligence Directorate.
According to Zamir, Israel’s military operations have set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by several years.
“The damage to the nuclear program is not a pinpoint strike but a systemic one,” Zamir said.
He described the impact as “severe, broad, and deep,” claiming that cumulative strikes had significantly dismantled Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
Zamir further stated that Israel had achieved its objective of eliminating what he called “an immediate existential threat” from Iran.
The announcement comes just one day after a DDM report revealed a more cautious U.S. assessment of the damage.
According to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), American strikes on Iran were effective but only managed to delay the nuclear program by a few months.
The DIA reportedly found that the core components of Iran’s enrichment facilities remained intact.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump contradicted that analysis during a statement on Wednesday.
“Last weekend, the United States successfully carried out a massive precision strike on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities,” Trump said.
He emphasized the operation was “very, very successful,” suggesting alignment with Israel’s more optimistic assessment.
This discrepancy in evaluations highlights the complex and often divergent perspectives between allies on sensitive intelligence matters.
While Israel asserts it has dealt a historic blow to Iran’s capabilities, U.S. defense officials urge caution in drawing conclusions.
Analysts say the conflicting reports may reflect both strategic messaging and differing intelligence methodologies.
Despite the differing views, both nations appear united in viewing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a central security concern.
Israel has long regarded Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat, prompting numerous covert and overt efforts to disrupt its development.
The latest operations mark one of the most direct and aggressive campaigns against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in recent years.
DDM notes that Iran has not yet issued an official response to the claims made by Israel or the United States.
International observers are also waiting for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to provide an independent assessment of the situation.
The outcome of these military strikes and the extent of the damage could shape future negotiations and regional stability.
With a ceasefire now reportedly in effect between Iran and Israel, the focus may shift to diplomatic engagement and verification of nuclear compliance.
However, as of now, the true extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities remains subject to interpretation and further investigation.
DDM will continue to provide updates as more official statements and verifications emerge.
