Web Desk of June 21st 2025.
Gila Gamliel, Israel’s Intelligence Minister, made an astonishing claim on Friday when he claimed Israeli military operations have successfully postponed Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons by two years. This claim comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East as Israel intensifies covert and direct efforts against what it refers to as Iran’s “nuclear threat infrastructure.”
Gamliel spoke to reporters during a security briefing in Tel Aviv and claimed Israeli attacks–both cyber and aerial–had targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and supply chains linked to their enrichment activities, dealing a significant blow to their ambitions: we estimate their program has been delayed by at least 24 months as a result of Israeli intelligence and defense operations.
Though Israel has yet to confirm the operations officially, multiple regional sources suggest that recent explosions and fires at sites near Natanz and Isfahan were not accidental. Satellite imagery also showed visible damage to suspected Iranian nuclear-related facilities; Tehran downplayed these incidents by citing “technical faults” and “sabotage by enemies”, without directly naming Israel in their defense.
Iran’s foreign ministry has strongly denounced Israel’s illegal and provocative acts as illegal and reckless, and warned of their potential to drive tensions further into full-scale conflict in the Middle East. Nasser Kanaani from Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokespeople during a press conference in Tehran stated, “Iran reserves its right to respond in whatever form and timeframe is convenient to it”. Additionally, Kanaani underlined Iran’s nuclear program as peaceful and under international monitoring.
However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has yet to make a formal statement regarding Iran’s reported delays to their nuclear timetable. A confidential assessment shared with diplomats earlier this year suggested that Iran possessed enough highly enriched uranium for multiple weapons if weaponized; however this requires additional steps like miniaturizing warheads and integration of delivery systems.
Israel has long held that an Iran with nuclear capabilities poses an existential threat, citing Iran’s past threats against them and support for groups like Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad as evidence. Recently, Israeli officials have adopted more aggressive stances, hinting they might take unilateral steps if international diplomacy does not successfully halt Tehran’s advancements.
The Biden administration has so far taken care to remain neutral when commenting on Israel’s military tactics, emphasizing its support of a diplomatic solution over military intervention. U.S. officials have nonetheless recognized the difficulty associated with curtailing Iran’s nuclear capabilities through discussions alone.
Security analysts believe the Israeli claim may provide time for world powers to engage Iran in negotiations again, though the risk of retaliation or escalation still exists. Miriam Feldman of Herzliya Center for Strategic Studies observed: “Israel may have delayed a bomb but may also hasten its path toward wider conflict.”
As diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, the region closely monitors Iran to see whether they increase or adjust their response, in response to increasing international scrutiny and Israeli pressure.