Is Iran’s Nuclear Program Damaged or Destroyed?

386 snips

Jun 23, 2025

Guest

Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador and author, Jay Solomon, an investigative journalist specializing in Iran, and Matti Friedman, a Jerusalem-based columnist, dive deep into the aftermath of U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. They discuss the effectiveness of these strikes, the uncertainty surrounding Iran's nuclear program, and the shifting dynamics in the Middle East. The experts also highlight the emotional and strategic implications of ongoing conflicts, reevaluate the strength of the Iranian regime, and examine the responses of Western youth to these geopolitical tensions.

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INSIGHT

US Bombing Boosts Israeli Morale

The U.S. bombing campaign gave Israelis hope and a sense the war is tilting in their favor.
Despite missile attacks, Israeli casualties remain low due to strong defense measures.

INSIGHT

US Strike Alters International Dynamics

The U.S. strike changed international dynamics, showcasing American readiness to use power effectively.
This shift could pave the way for comprehensive regional peace if coordinated diplomacy succeeds.

INSIGHT

Iran's Nuclear Sites Damaged, Not Destroyed

Iran likely lost uranium enrichment capabilities at key sites but moved critical materials beforehand.
Secret sites and stockpiles complicate efforts to fully dismantle Iran's nuclear threat.

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When we last recorded Saturday night, the U.S. had just announced its strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The U.S. had entered the war. The restrainers had seemingly lost.

In the following hours, President Donald Trump said the mission was a “spectacular military success.” And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the program “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites.

But there’s much more to that story than meets the eye. As Jay Solomon wrote in our pages: Before the U.S. struck, 16 cargo trucks entered the fortified mountain complex and moved unidentified equipment to another location. Are the sites destroyed or merely damaged? Was enriched uranium smuggled out? It all remains unclear.

Now the war is heating up. Israel has expanded its bombing campaign beyond nuclear facilities to hit regime targets. Qatar has closed its airspace. And just as we write this, Iran has reportedly fired toward Qatar and Iraq.

It all begs the question: Was the strike on Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant the end of this war—or just the beginning? And what comes next?

To understand the state of the nuclear facilities and the state of the war, we’ve brought together three of the most well-read experts: Michael Oren, Jay Solomon, and Matti Friedman.

Oren is the former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. He served from 2009 to 2013. He is also a former Knesset member. He is the author of many books, including Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide.

Solomon is an investigative journalist who has covered Iran and the region for decades. He just published an explosive piece for The Free Press titled “Did Iran Just Sneak Out Critical Nuclear Material from Fordow?”

And, Friedman is our Jerusalem-based columnist, and the author of four books, including his latest, Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai. He just wrote “After the Bombs: American B-2s Just Changed the Middle East. Now It’s Time to Return the Region to the Humans Who Live Here” for our pages.

We’ll note we recorded this Monday morning, starting around 11 a.m. ET, as a Free Press Live event. To join these, you just need to do one thing—and that’s become a Free Press subscriber.

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