VIENNA - In the wake of recent U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, experts and officials are working to determine the extent of damage to the country's nuclear program [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The strikes, which targeted key sites including Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, have left the international community seeking answers about the current state of Iran's nuclear capabilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that the three targets hit by American strikes were "obliterated," with his defense secretary describing them as "destroyed" [1][2][3][4][5][6]. However, a preliminary report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency presents a more nuanced view, stating that while significant damage was done to the facilities, they were not completely destroyed [2][3][4][5][6].

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed "extensive damage at several nuclear sites in Iran," including the three mentioned above [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Israel has gone further, claiming that the strikes have set back Iran's nuclear program by "many years" [1][2][3][4][5][6].

As assessment efforts continue, two critical questions remain at the forefront: the location of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and the condition of the centrifuges used for uranium enrichment [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The IAEA believes that significant damage was inflicted on the centrifuges at the Natanz and Fordo enrichment facilities, though the full extent of the impact is still being evaluated [1].

It's important to note that the situation remains fluid, with officials and experts cautioning that their evaluations may change as more information becomes available [1][2][3][4][5][6]. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, as the outcome of these assessments could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.