Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Jun 27: In a high-profile briefing held at the Pentagon on Thursday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, defended the effectiveness of recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities by releasing classified footage of bunker buster bombs in action.
The rare footage, which showcased the formidable impact of these deep-penetrating munitions, was intended to refute a classified Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report that claimed the strikes caused only limited setbacks to Iran’s nuclear program — delaying it by mere months.
General Caine, who led the detailed presentation, confirmed that 12 bunker buster bombs were deployed during the operation. He emphasized that the destructive power of these weapons lies beneath the surface. “Unlike conventional bombs, bunker busters are designed to penetrate hardened structures before detonating, which makes surface-level damage almost invisible,” he explained.
"A bomb has three effects that cause damage: blast, fragmentation, and overpressure. In this case, the primary kill mechanisms were overpressure and blast," Gen. Caine said, underlining how these bombs neutralize underground installations.
Secretary Hegseth strongly pushed back against the DIA’s assessment. “The strike was decimating—choose your word—obliterating, destroying,” he said, dismissing the report as “low confidence” and riddled with “gaps in the information.”
The Pentagon’s release of the footage marks a significant shift in how the US is choosing to communicate its military effectiveness amid rising global scrutiny. While the extent of structural damage inside the Iranian facilities remains classified, the tone at the Pentagon was one of firm confidence.
Iran, meanwhile, has yet to issue a detailed response to the US claims or the footage released. However, the geopolitical fallout of the strike continues to be closely monitored, especially as concerns over a potential nuclear escalation in the region persist.
With tensions running high, the US move to publicly release evidence from the strikes is being seen as a strategic signal — not just to Tehran, but to the international community — about the seriousness and precision of American military capability.