U.S. Denies Iran Moved Uranium Before Strikes as Nuclear Damage Debated

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Thursday that there is no intelligence confirming Iran moved its highly enriched uranium ahead of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The strikes, conducted Sunday using over a dozen 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, targeted key sites like Fordow, prompting global scrutiny over their effectiveness.

President Donald Trump declared Iran’s nuclear program "obliterated," while Hegseth dismissed reports that uranium had been relocated, citing no evidence of movement. Trump reinforced this, claiming satellite images showing vehicles were linked to construction, not uranium transport.

However, analysts and satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies indicated unusual activity at Fordow, including long vehicle lines before the strike. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that most 60% enriched uranium had been transferred to a hidden location. European intelligence later assessed Iran’s uranium stockpile remained largely intact, as it wasn’t fully stored at Fordow.

Despite a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency report suggesting limited impact, Hegseth labeled the strike "historically successful" and said newer intelligence shows years of setbacks for Iran’s program. CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported this claim in briefings to U.S. senators.

Senators Tom Cotton and Mark Warner confirmed the mission damaged Iran’s nuclear infrastructure but acknowledged uranium remained untouched. Warner emphasized that full verification requires on-ground inspections.

General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, avoided political commentary, stating he faced no pressure to alter assessments. Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised retaliation and denied defeat after the brief conflict.

Hegseth criticized media bias at the Pentagon briefing, drawing praise from Trump, who called it one of the most professional press conferences ever. The House will receive a classified briefing next, as debate continues over requiring congressional approval for future strikes.