President Trump asserted on Tuesday that he had achieved one of the primary objectives of the U.S.-led attack on Iran: the elimination of its nuclear weapons capability. Speaking in the Oval Office, he stated, 'They will have no nuclear weapon, and that goal has been attained.' However, this claim directly contradicts the lack of evidence that the U.S. or Israel has removed or destroyed Iran's stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed no material was removed before or after the June airstrikes on sites like Isfahan.

While Trump's aides have narrowed the war's objectives, the core argument for military action in February was halting Iran's nuclear program. 970 pounds of highly enriched uranium, sufficient for 10 to 12 bombs, remains under Iranian control. This material, along with larger stocks of medium-enriched uranium, poses a significant challenge if the conflict ends without its removal. Trump's declaration leaves the nuclear threat unresolved, potentially passing the problem to a successor.

The U.S. and Israel had previously considered high-risk raids to seize the material, but those plans were reconsidered due to the danger of casualties. Experts note that while some sites were struck, the overall nuclear program was 'relatively marginal' to the U.S.-Israel effort, according to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.