Bruce's lengthy statement continued, "Prior to the United States' successful military operation, Iran was amassing a growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium for which there was no credible peaceful purpose, and it was the only state producing highly enriched uranium, up to 60%, that does not have nuclear weapons."

While President Trump declared the US “Operation Midnight Hammer” strikes a “spectacular military success” that “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites, the true extent of the damage remains uncertain. -A leaked preliminary US intelligence report suggests the strikes may have only set back Iran’s program by a few months,

Iran is assessing the damage and lashing out over the American and Israeli airstrikes that damaged its nuclear sites.

The new assessment contrasted with U.N. agency view that Iran could resume enriching uranium in a “matter of months.”

The Pentagon said on Wednesday that U.S. strikes 10 days ago had degraded Iran's nuclear program by up to two years, suggesting the U.S. military operation likely achieved its goals despite a far more cautious initial assessment that leaked to the public.