Lloyd Austin: Contrary to Trump’s Claims, Iran Was Nowhere Near Building a Nuclear Weapon

Tehran - BORNA - In an interview with ABC News, the former Pentagon chief addressed questions regarding Iran's nuclear status. According to ISNA, Austin remarked: "Based on what I know and what my information allows, especially following the events in June, Iran was by no means close to building a nuclear weapon, contrary to what the President has presented."

The retired four-star general added that many experts were "surprised" by the President's claims, noting that few in the professional intelligence and military community believed the narrative that a nuclear breakout was imminent.

Resilience of Iran's Strategic Power

Austin further observed that the recent war failed to degrade Iran's fundamental strategic capabilities. "I certainly do not believe we have witnessed a military change [in Iran's status]; rather, we saw a change in leadership. They have remained stable, they continue to control the Strait of Hormuz, they can resume their nuclear activities whenever they choose, and they have maintained their ballistic missile capabilities," he explained.

The former Secretary of Defense, who served under President Joe Biden, has consistently warned against the consequences of a prolonged war with Tehran. Last week, in an op-ed published in The New York Times, Austin analyzed the conflict and its potential fallout, warning that there is "no such thing as a quick military victory" and characterizing Iran as a "formidable adversary."

His latest comments are seen as a direct challenge to the Trump administration’s rationale for the 40-day conflict, which has faced mounting domestic and international criticism for its high economic and human costs without achieving its stated objectives of regime change or total military neutralization.

End Article