U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday there is no intelligence proving Iran relocated its uranium stockpile before recent American strikes, despite mounting speculation and satellite imagery suggesting otherwise.

Pentagon Denies Uranium Transfer Claims

Following U.S. airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, Hegseth declared, “I’m not aware of any intelligence... that says things were not where they were supposed to be.” President Donald Trump echoed the statement, claiming that the site vehicles were “concrete workers” and “nothing was taken out.”

Trump praised the attacks as having “obliterated” Iran’s program, while Hegseth called the operation “historically successful.”

Evidence Contradicts Official Line

However, experts and satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies indicated “unusual activity” outside the Fordow nuclear site before the bombing, including a long line of vehicles. A senior Iranian source told Reuters most of the 60% enriched uranium was moved to an undisclosed location ahead of the strike.

The Financial Times, citing European intelligence, reported that the uranium stockpile was largely untouched because it wasn’t concentrated at Fordow.

Senate Briefing Reveals Caution

A classified briefing to senators by top officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and General Dan Caine, confirmed the strikes inflicted damage. However, Republican Senator Tom Cotton noted that destroying uranium stockpiles wasn’t the mission’s goal.

Democrat Senator Mark Warner stressed the need for on-ground inspectors, admitting that “some of the enriched uranium was never going to be taken out by a bunker-buster bomb.”

War of Words With Media

Hegseth also lashed out at the press during the Pentagon briefing, accusing reporters of anti-Trump bias and claiming coverage downplayed the mission’s success. Trump applauded the performance, calling it “one of the greatest...news conferences” he had seen.

General Caine emphasized his assessment was not politically influenced, stating, “I’ve never been pressured... to do anything other than tell them exactly what I’m thinking.”