Iran strike only set back Fordo, but US and Israel talking about resuming job — report

US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites only caused significant damage to one facility, a new intelligence assessment has found, and discussions have taken place between Israeli and American officials on the possibility of renewing strikes on the two other locations if Tehran doesn’t agree to talks soon, NBC news reports.

The report cites five current and former US officials with knowledge of the intel findings, which have been shared with lawmakers and officials in allied countries in recent days.

According to the report, the US strikes set back enrichment activity at the Fordo nuclear site by some two years.

The US outlet’s reporting indicates, but does not state explicitly, that the damage at Isfahan and Natanz, two other facilities, was less extensive, with some parts of the sites beyond America’s massive bunker-buster bombs. The report says US officials think Iran could have the sites back up and running in months.

US President Donald Trump had been presented with an option of a much more comprehensive air campaign, which would have continued for weeks and  involved hitting six nuclear sites repeatedly, but opted for the more limited strike due to concerns about US involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, NBC News reports.

“We were willing to go all the way in our options, but the president did not want to,” one of the sources is quoted saying.

The report cites a current and a former officials saying the US and Israel have discussed going back in to conduct fresh attacks on Natanz and Isfahan if Tehran continues to avoid negotiations over its nuclear program or there are signs it is trying to rebuild the sites.