In brief
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has officially acknowledged serious damage to the country's nuclear facilities following U.S. strikes, contradicting earlier claims by the supreme leader.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, announced on Thursday that the country’s nuclear infrastructure sustained "significant and serious damages" from U.S. military actions aimed at three nuclear sites. This marks a notable shift in narrative, as Araghchi's revelations come shortly after Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had stated that the strikes did not have a substantial impact. In a recorded message, Khamenei dismissed claims from U.S. President Trump regarding the extent of the damage, labeling them as “exaggerated.”While Araghchi confirmed that assessments of the damages are ongoing, he emphasized that the losses were considerable, marking the first time Iranian officials have openly addressed the impact of the U.S. strikes. He also hinted at a potential cessation of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), suggesting that access for its inspectors to Iran’s nuclear sites might be revoked. Following the attacks on facilities in Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, the Guardian Council approved a parliamentary bill banning all collaboration with the IAEA as a form of retaliation against the U.S. actions.
