Israel and the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities, resulting in what Trump has described as "total obliteration" of three sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Israel said Iran had nuclear ambitions that posed an existential threat to its existence.

Some experts said they believe the U.S. strikes have the potential to lead to a "fork-in-the-road" moment that could result in Tehran taking an even more dangerous path.

The new assessment contrasted with U.N. agency view that Iran could resume enriching uranium in a “matter of months.”