IAEA Confirms Iran Fordow Centrifuges No Longer Operational After Strikes

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that centrifuges at Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment plant are no longer operational following recent U.S. airstrikes. Using satellite imagery and technical expertise, the IAEA assessed significant physical damage caused by vibrations from the bombs, although Grossi cautioned against describing the damage as total annihilation. U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asserted the strikes were highly successful and obliterated the facilities, countering media reports that suggested only a temporary setback. The IAEA has not yet accessed the sites directly, nor received a response from Iranian officials, leaving some questions about the full extent of the damage and Iran's ability to move enriched uranium beforehand. The strikes targeted multiple enrichment sites, and U.S. intelligence confirms serious damage to Iran's nuclear program, increasing the difficulty for Iran to continue uranium enrichment at previous levels. This operation has sparked debate over the media's portrayal of the military action's effectiveness, with Trump criticizing coverage that downplays the success.