Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran not to restart its nuclear programme, threatening fresh military action if Tehran builds new nuclear sites.
In a message posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that the U.S. had already destroyed Iran’s main nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan during a secret military operation called Operation Midnight Hammer. He said it would take Iran “years” to rebuild the sites and warned that any new attempt would be “obliterated.”
“It would take years to bring them back into service… they would be much better off starting anew,” Trump wrote, adding his usual sign-off: “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The message was sent from his golf club near Washington amid a turbulent week for the former president, who has been under fire over past links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well as recent health concerns, with the White House confirming he is suffering from chronic venous insufficiency.
Trump pointed to the 2025 strikes as one of the biggest successes of his presidency, insisting that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “totally obliterated.” He claimed the U.S. had dropped 14 bunker-busting bombs during the attack.
However, U.S. intelligence assessments suggest only the underground site at Fordow was completely destroyed. Other facilities at Natanz and Isfahan may still be functional, according to officials quoted by NBC News.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed those reports, saying: “The credibility of the Fake News Media is similar to that of the current state of the Iranian nuclear facilities: destroyed.”
There are also concerns that Iran may have moved enriched uranium to hidden locations before the strikes. Reports indicated several lorries were seen leaving Fordow, possibly heading to secret underground sites such as Pickaxe Mountain in Isfahan province.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said Iranian officials have refused to provide answers about activities at one such underground location. “They are telling us, ‘It’s none of your business,’” he said.
The situation has reignited global concerns over nuclear proliferation and growing tensions between Iran and the West. Many analysts warn that any further escalation could destabilize the already fragile Middle East region.
