SCOOP: The United States obtained intercepted communication between senior Iranian officials discussing this month’s military strikes on Iran’s nuclear program and remarking that the attack was less devastating than they had expected, per four soures
The communication, intended to be private, included Iranian government officials speculating as to why the strikes directed by Trump were not as destructive and extensive as they anticipated, per sources
The Trump administration did not dispute the existence of the intercepted communications, which have not been previously reported, but strenuously disagreed with the Iranians’ conclusions and cast doubt on their ability to assess the damage at the three nuclear facilities targeted in the U.S. operation
Analysts broadly agree that the strikes severely damaged the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. But the extent of the destruction has been hotly debated amid reports that Iran moved its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium before the strike
During classified congressional briefings last week, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told lawmakers that several key nuclear sites were completely destroyed, including Iran’s metal conversion operations, said a U.S. official. The facility, which is key to building a bomb’s explosive core, would take years to rebuild, said the official. Ratcliffe also said the U.S. intelligence community assesses that the “vast majority” of Iran’s enriched uranium is “likely buried at Isfahan and Fordow.”
Disagreements about the effectiveness of the strikes remain on Capitol Hill following the Trump administration’s classified briefings to lawmakers last week
Intercepted call of Iranian officials downplays damage of U.S. attack. From me and @wstrobel washingtonpost.com/national-secur…
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