SAEDNEWS: Former U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has openly criticized the Trump administration’s 2025 decision to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it an avoidable military move that undermined a promising diplomatic opportunity.
According to Saed News, Jake Sullivan, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum on Friday, revealed that Tehran had been prepared to sign a long-term deal constraining its nuclear program for decades—yet Washington chose war over negotiation. “They were ready to agree to a very good deal,” Sullivan said. “It could have restrained Iran’s nuclear activity for far longer than the original JCPOA. Military action wasn’t necessary.”
Sullivan argued that diplomacy remains the only viable route to permanently resolve the Iranian nuclear challenge, adding, “That’s the direction Trump should have taken—and may still take.”
Reflecting on the June 22 strikes, Sullivan told CNN he had immediately questioned the strategic logic: “Even with successful strikes, we would still need a deal. Iran’s uranium and centrifuge capability weren’t eliminated—they can rebuild.”
He also confirmed that Iran had already barred IAEA inspectors from the bombed sites, stripping the West of its verification tools. “We lost the oversight we had under the JCPOA,” he said.
His remarks align with assessments from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, which found the strikes failed to significantly degrade Iran’s core nuclear infrastructure. Despite President Trump’s claim of “total obliteration,” intelligence suggests Iran’s stockpiles remain intact and damage to centrifuges was minimal. CNN reports that most of the damage targeted aboveground facilities—power grids and conversion buildings—while underground bunkers at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan survived largely unscathed.
The fallout was immediate. Iran launched missiles at the U.S.-operated Al-Udeid base in Qatar within 48 hours, causing serious damage and prompting Washington to pursue an urgent ceasefire.
Democratic lawmakers also condemned the decision, citing Trump’s failure to consult Congress. According to the Jewish Insider, their calls for renewed negotiations echoed throughout the Aspen forum.
Meanwhile, the White House doubled down, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accusing critics of discrediting both the president and the military. But nuclear expert Jeffrey Lewis told CNN that satellite imagery confirms Iran’s core facilities are operational and capable of restarting high-level enrichment swiftly.
While Tehran acknowledges damage, it maintains that its peaceful nuclear program will continue undeterred.
