Jerusalem: Israel claimed on Wednesday that its military offensive on Iran has caused years of delay in the Iranian nuclear program. 'We assess that the American strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, combined with Israeli strikes on other elements of Iran's military nuclear program, has set back Iran's ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

According to Anadolu Agency, the statement cited a report by the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) which indicated that US strikes on the Fordo nuclear facility, the main enrichment facility of Iran, 'destroyed the site's critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility inoperable.' The statement added, 'The achievement can continue indefinitely if Iran does not get access to nuclear material.'

Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran on June 13, targeting military and nuclear facilities. This action was based on allegations that Tehran was on the verge of producing a nuclear bomb, a claim that Iran has vehemently denied. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

The conflict escalated with the US entering the fray, bombing three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday. After 12 days of aerial combat, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on Monday between Israel and Iran, aiming to bring the confrontation to an end.