CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed Wednesday that the recent U.S. strike on Iran caused severe damage to the nation’s nuclear program.
Ratcliffe’s X post condemns media reports based on supposed leaked intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency claiming that the damage was not debilitating to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but only set Tehran back by a few months.
In the statement, Ratcliffe said the CIA has credible intelligence – including from a trusted source – that key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and will take years to rebuild.
“CIA can confirm that a body of credible intelligence indicates Iran’s Nuclear Program has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes,” he wrote.
Ratcliffe added that the agency is still gathering intelligence and will keep officials and, when possible, the public informed.
The statement directly contradicts leaked reports that suggested the strikes had limited impact. Ratcliffe said those reports were based on illegally sourced information and do not reflect the CIA’s current assessment.
My statement confirming CIA intelligence which contradicts illegally sourced public reporting regarding the destruction of key Iranian nuclear facilities. pic.twitter.com/Ln3b4hfELc
— CIA Director John Ratcliffe (@CIADirector) June 25, 2025
In an earlier post, President Trump slammed the CNN reporter responsible for the story.
BREAKING: Trump just called for @NatashaBertrand to be FIRED for sharing the leaked intel report.
Like and share if you would support this! pic.twitter.com/IjSM4eH85n
— Gunther Eagleman
(@GuntherEagleman) June 25, 2025
Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, said on X: “New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do.
“The propaganda media has deployed their usual tactic: selectively release portions of illegally leaked classified intelligence assessments (intentionally leaving out the fact that the assessment was written with ‘low confidence’) to try to undermine President Trump’s decisive leadership and the brave servicemen and women who flawlessly executed a truly historic mission to keep the American people safe and secure.”
New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely, which would likely take years to do.
The…
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) June 25, 2025
White House flays CNN for claim Iran-attack damage was minimal
‘ZERO CREDIBILITY!’ Trump erupts as he names names of worst fake news giants in Iran conflict