Overview

• The Pentagon announced on July 2 that B-2 bomber strikes on Fordo, Natanz and Ispahan have set back Iran’s nuclear efforts by one to two years, according to spokesperson Sean Parnell.
• Operation Midnight Hammer employed GBU-57 penetrating bombs in the June 21–22 raids, following an earlier Israeli bombing campaign.
• Independent analysts and a leaked U.S. intelligence assessment say the strikes likely caused only months of delay, highlighting challenges in damage verification.
• Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA and refused director general inspections, and the agency warns Tehran could resume enrichment within months.
• President Trump declared the program “annihilated” and Defense Secretary Hegseth hailed the raids as decisive, illustrating divergent official narratives on their effectiveness.