US: "Iran's nuclear development delayed by 2 years after airstrike"

Amid controversy surrounding the extent of damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities following U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the United States Department of Defense announced on the 2nd (local time) that it assesses Iran's nuclear program to have been set back by up to two years.

Sean Parnell, spokesperson for the United States Department of Defense, said during a briefing held at the Pentagon that "we have set back their (Iran's) nuclear program by at least 1 to 2 years" and added, "We believe it is perhaps closer to 2 years." He emphasized, "Based on all the information we have verified, it appears that Iran's nuclear facilities have been completely destroyed," explaining that all elements for nuclear development, such as centrifuges and stockpiles of highly enriched uranium, were entirely destroyed. This is interpreted as an attempt to address doubts raised by international organizations and the media regarding President Donald Trump's claim that "nuclear facilities have been completely destroyed."

The United States also urged Iran to accept monitoring and inspections after Iran announced the suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on this day. Tammy Bruce, spokesperson for the United States Department of State, stated in a media briefing, "We cannot tolerate Iran's suspension of cooperation with the IAEA," emphasizing that "in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iran must provide the IAEA with information on undeclared nuclear material and grant unrestricted access to its enrichment facilities."

Donghyun Kim, Reporter 3code@hankyung.com