Israel's nuclear commission says US strikes cripple Iran's nuclear site

JERUSALEM -- The Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) said on Wednesday US airstrikes on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility destroyed key infrastructure, rendering the uranium enrichment plant inoperable.

In a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office, the IAEC said Sunday's US strikes, coupled with Israeli attacks on other components of Iran's nuclear program, have set back Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years.

"The achievement can continue indefinitely if Iran does not get access to nuclear material," the statement read.

At a cabinet meeting earlier on Wednesday, Netanyahu declared victory in the war against Iran, claiming Israel had removed an immediate existential threat.

Israel has defended its strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, an accusation Iran denies.

Also on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed the attacks had caused substantial damage. "Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that's for sure," he said during an interview with Al Jazeera.

However, US media, citing a classified intelligence assessment, reported that the damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure may delay its program by only several months, a finding that contrasts with US President Donald Trump's claim that the facilities were "completely and fully obliterated."