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Outcome of U.S. Iran strikes in doubt, Sen. Rand Paul says

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Mo., Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/David Smith)
David Smith/AP
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FR172245 AP
A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Mo., Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/David Smith)

Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul — an opponent of President Donald Trump's Iran strikes — says it's too early for the U.S. to be taking any victory laps in the conflict.

Though the president originally asserted that the American strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's enrichment facilities, a number of skeptics, including Republicans, are saying the remarks were premature.

Paul said Tuesday it's not only too early to assess the effectiveness of the bombing, but also too soon to predict how Iran will ultimately respond.

"There are some reports that 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium was removed before the strikes. There are also now reports or leaks from the Defense Intelligence Agency saying that it wasn't destruction of the sites, but rather may put them back a few months," Paul told the media. "So this has always been my position that it's unknown how Iran will react. They may be chastened by the attacks... or they may be hardened. They may be steeled and resolved, and they may decide to sprint towards the bomb."

Meanwhile, Israel's military chief of staff has claimed Iran's nuclear program suffered "systemic" damage, setting the effort back years during the 12-day conflict.