Trump dismisses as ‘fake news’ CNN report saying US strikes didn’t destroy Iranian nuclear sites

Trump administration has claimed Iran’s nuclear facilities were ‘obliterated’ in US strikes. CNN cites classified documents to suggest strikes hit mainly above-ground structures.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump Wednesday termed as “fake news” a CNN report stating that a preliminary and classified US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment suggests US’ bombing Sunday of three Iranian nuclear facilities inflicted only temporary delays to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions—“a few months, tops”.

The CNN report, published late Tuesday, challenges the Trump administration’s assertion that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “totally obliterated”, revealing rather that the operation’s impact may be more limited than is being portrayed.

This is in contrast with Trump’s claims that “Iran can never rebuild its nuclear facilities”.