Wed Jun 25 12:23:20 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The provided text details conflicting reports regarding the extent of damage inflicted on Iranian nuclear facilities following US airstrikes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei admitted to “badly damaged” nuclear installations, while initial US intelligence suggested a setback of only months to Tehran’s nuclear program. President Trump rejected this assessment, claiming the damage was severe and the program set back “decades,” directly contradicting the intelligence report. The White House also denied the preliminary intelligence assessment.

**News Article:**

**US, Iran Trade Barbs Over Nuclear Strike Damage Amid Conflicting Intelligence**

**Dubai, June 25, 2025 (The Hindu)** – The extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear program following alleged US airstrikes over the weekend remains shrouded in controversy, with conflicting statements emerging from both Tehran and Washington.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed to Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the country’s nuclear facilities had been “badly damaged” by American strikes on Sunday. However, he refrained from providing specific details.

This admission comes amidst a storm of contradicting reports. Reuters, citing a preliminary US intelligence assessment, stated the strikes set back Tehran’s program by only a few months. President Trump swiftly refuted this intelligence, asserting the damage was far more significant and would delay the Iranian program by “decades.”

“The intelligence was very inconclusive,” Trump told reporters, before directly contradicting it by stating, “It could’ve been very severe. That’s what the intelligence suggests.” He further amplified his claims on Truth Social, declaring Iranian nuclear sites “completely destroyed.”

The White House also dismissed the Reuters report, with spokesperson Karoline Leavitt labeling the “alleged” intelligence conclusion as “flat-out wrong.”

The conflicting narratives from both sides raise concerns about transparency and the true impact of the strikes on the already volatile situation in the Middle East. The ongoing debate over the damage assessment further complicates efforts to de-escalate tensions between the US and Iran. The incident is likely to be a key point of discussion at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.

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