Officials Insist Key Facilities Remain Operational, Vow Response to “Foolish” Attack
Iranian officials have pushed back against U.S. claims of devastating airstrikes on the country’s nuclear facilities, insisting that the targeted sites—including the heavily fortified Fordow complex—suffered only minor damage and remain functional.
The strikes, which also hit the Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites early Sunday, triggered explosions and activated Iranian air defenses, according to local reports. But Manan Raeisi, a lawmaker representing the region near Fordow, dismissed President Trump’s boasts of a successful operation, calling them lies.
“Based on precise information, I can confirm that despite the claims of the U.S. president, the Fordow nuclear installation has not been seriously damaged,” Raeisi told the state-linked Fars news agency. “Most of the affected areas were above ground and can be fully repaired.”
Witnesses near Fordow reported hearing blasts and seeing air defense systems engage during the attack. A brief fire broke out but was quickly contained, according to a Fars reporter at the scene. No casualties were reported.
State-run Press TV also downplayed the strike’s impact, asserting—without providing evidence—that only entry and exit tunnels were damaged, leaving the core facility unharmed.
Raeisi framed the attack as a direct U.S. escalation, warning that Tehran would choose how and when to retaliate. “The United States has now fully entered this war,” he said, calling the strikes “a brazen act of foolishness.”
The conflicting narratives deepen the uncertainty over the fallout from the U.S. operation, with Iran signaling defiance while Washington insists it dealt a decisive blow. As tensions flare, the world watches for Tehran’s next move.
Similar Posts:
- Trump Faces Impeachment Calls Over Unauthorized Iran Strikes
- Ukraine behind new Crimean Bridge attack – media
- Iran Declares Full Readiness for Israeli Retaliation After Missile Strike
- Israeli Military Weighs Options in Response to Iranian Airstrikes
- Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Assault on Russia, Killing One Near Moscow and Grounding Flights
