Iranian Parliament Acknowledges Damage to Nuclear Facilities: “Death to America”
Iranian Official Admission of Significant Damage
In a historic admission, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed substantial damage to the nation’s nuclear facilities due to recent American attacks. This acknowledgment marks the first official recognition of severe impacts on Iran’s nuclear program amid conflicting reports about the effectiveness of the American military action.
The statement was made during an interview with the Arabic network Al Jazeera in English. Ismail Baghaei highlighted the serious repercussions of the U.S. strikes, stating, “We have suffered significant harm to our facilities.” These remarks follow a period of ambiguity regarding the status of Iran’s enriched uranium and the overall state of its nuclear infrastructure.
Contradictory Claims from U.S. Leadership
The Iranian admission comes on the heels of a contentious report from CNN that contradicted claims made by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump had previously proclaimed that the Iranian nuclear project had been “destroyed,” but CNN suggested that the reality was far more complex, indicating that the project faced only a “light blow” and was merely delayed by a few months.
Despite the report, the Trump administration maintained that CNN’s coverage was inaccurate, affirming that there was indeed significant damage to Iranian nuclear installations, particularly at the Fordow facility, which had reportedly seen considerable internal destruction.
Iran’s Response to International Standards
In light of the recent military actions, Iran has decided to halt its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Baghaei expressed that the suspension of collaboration represents the will of the Iranian people and serves as a response to what he termed illegal attacks against Iran. He emphasized the need for the IAEA to contribute to building trust between Iran and the international community.
Baghaei’s sentiments were echoed by Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who criticized the IAEA for its perceived failure to condemn the attacks. Qalibaf asserted that the agency had compromised its credibility and announced a cessation of cooperation with the IAEA until assurances were made regarding the security of Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Protest in Parliament
During a televised session of Parliament, Qalibaf called on members to express their discontent, prompting lawmakers to chant slogans such as “Death to America! Death to Israel!” This display of solidarity reflects the heightened anti-American sentiment among Iran’s leadership following the recent developments surrounding their nuclear program.
As the situation continues to evolve, Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its international relations remain in a precarious state, underscored by increasing tensions and conflicting narratives from both Iran and the United States