Iran FM Confirms Serious Damage to Fordo Nuclear Site from US Strike

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged in a CBS News interview that the US bombing of Iran's Fordo nuclear site has "seriously and heavily damaged" the facility, marking the first time Iran has conceded the impact of the strikes. Araghchi stated that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is currently assessing the damage and will submit a report to the government, but it remains unclear if the site can be relaunched. US President Donald Trump claimed the strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, though US officials caution that a full damage assessment will take time. Intercepted Iranian communications reportedly downplayed the damage, creating uncertainty within US intelligence circles. Araghchi also emphasized that while renewed nuclear negotiations remain an option, they depend on the US refraining from further military attacks during talks, insisting that "the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut." The US strikes were part of a coordinated operation involving both US and Israeli forces targeting multiple Iranian nuclear facilities.