For first time since war, Iran confirms serious damage to Fordow nuclear site

For the first time since the 12-day war, Iran officially acknowledged that US airstrikes caused 'serious damage' to the Fordow nuclear site, the underground uranium enrichment facility located 30 kilometres north of the city of Qom.

According to a report by Reuters, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted in an interview with CBS News that the US bombing had inflicted "serious and heavy" damage on the underground nuclear site.

"No one knows exactly what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged," Araghchi told CBS.

He added that the Atomic Energy Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently conducting a full assessment of the damage, the findings of which will be submitted to the government.

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Meanwhile, The Washington Post, citing four individuals familiar with classified US intelligence, reported on Sunday that the extent of damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was deliberately kept under wraps by the US government.

President Donald Trump had earlier claimed that the attacks "obliterated or completely destroyed" Iran's nuclear program. However, US officials privately acknowledged that a full assessment of the damage would take time.

In the same CBS interview, Foreign Minister Araghchi also ruled out the possibility of immediate nuclear talks with the United States, following the 12-day war involving Israel and US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.

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It’s worth noting that President Trump recently hinted that negotiations with Iran could resume this week, although the White House later clarified that no official talks had been scheduled.

Araghchi responded firmly, stating that the nuclear talks with the US will not resume soon.  He added that the decision to rejoin talks would depend on whether the US refrains from further attacks.

"That said, even with such conditions, we still need more time," Araghchi said.