Iran’s foreign minister admitted major nuclear damage from U.S.-Israeli strikes, diverging from the Supreme Leader’s claim the attacks failed.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly stated that recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes inflicted serious damage on Iran’s nuclear sites, a sharp contrast to the downplaying by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and one early U.S. intelligence assessment that was leaked to media.
Araghchi said key nuclear facilities suffered significant harm and that Tehran is assessing the extent of the destruction. This admission comes amid escalating tensions and a fragile ceasefire following deadly clashes between Iran and Israel.
Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and Iran’s foreign ministry for comment.Why It Matters
The report of severe damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure indicates rare discord within Tehran’s leadership, revealing competing narratives on the impact of Western military actions.
It also bolsters statements by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration of severe damage to the nuclear facilities in the face of the leaked intelligence assessment.
