PiCK
Trump Repeats Unsubstantiated Claim Iran Nuclear Sites Were ‘Completely Destroyed’
Summary
- Trump again claimed that Operation Midnight Hammer completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- As the ceasefire nears its end, whether the nuclear facilities were destroyed and the handling of uranium have emerged as key variables in the negotiations.
- The gap between Iran and the US remains wide, with negotiation uncertainty continuing.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
President Donald Trump renewed his claim that Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed as a ceasefire with Tehran nears expiration.
In a Truth Social post on April 20, Trump said Operation Midnight Hammer “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities. He added that digging through the rubble would be a long and difficult process.
Operation Midnight Hammer refers to a US military strike last June on three nuclear sites in Iran using B-2 bombers and other assets. Trump has repeatedly argued that the operation wiped out core facilities in Iran’s nuclear program.
He offered no specific evidence to support the claim. Trump has also described Iran’s enriched uranium as “nuclear dust” and insisted it should be removed, while Iran has countered that it never agreed to do so.
As the ceasefire approaches its end, the extent of the damage to the nuclear sites and the handling of uranium have emerged as key issues in the negotiations. The gap between the two sides remains wide.
Lee Song-ryeol, Hankyung.com reporter yisr0203@hankyung.com
Korea Economic Daily
hankyung@bloomingbit.ioThe Korea Economic Daily Global is a digital media where latest news on Korean companies, industries, and financial markets.
