The ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding despite both sides accusing the other of violating it shortly after the announcement. Initial US intelligence indicates that recent strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities did not destroy the core components of its nuclear program but may have caused significant setbacks. President Donald Trump, attending a NATO summit in the Netherlands, insisted the US strikes caused “total obliteration” of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
US President Donald Trump compared his strikes on Iran to the US use of nuclear bombs in Japan during World War II, saying both actions were intended to successfully end conflicts. Speaking at a NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump said the strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by decades and suggested Iran was unlikely to pursue nuclear ambitions in the immediate future. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has designated the Central Bank of Iran and other entities as terrorist organizations.
This move aims to disrupt the Iranian regime’s terror-financing operations, which fund terrorism via the Quds Force and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Additional Iranian banks and senior officials were also designated as terrorist entities. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi suggested that Iran might reconsider its participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) following recent US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites.
Araghchi stated that the attacks could significantly influence Iran’s future approach to nuclear policy, though it is still too early to predict specific changes.
Trump asserts nuclear strikes success
President Trump stated at the NATO summit that he did not believe Iran moved enriched uranium from its facilities before the US strikes, asserting that the rapid execution of the strikes made removal efforts impossible.
He suggested that the attack’s success was evidenced by Iran’s willingness to agree to a ceasefire with Israel. Despite an initial classified report suggesting that US strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, President Trump insisted the attacks led to “total obliteration.” He criticized the media for questioning the effectiveness of the strikes and called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to support his claims. The officials noted political motivations behind the report leak and confirmed that they believed the damage to Iran’s program was severe.
President Trump indicated that the recent US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites might facilitate a breakthrough in Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. At the NATO summit, Trump expressed optimism about progress in Gaza and suggested the strikes demonstrated US power, potentially influencing negotiations. The ceasefire between Iran and Israel is holding amidst ongoing global diplomatic efforts.
President Trump asserted the effectiveness of US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities while also drawing historical parallels. Israel continues its strategic measures against Iran, while Tehran contemplates its future stance on nuclear policies. International observers await further developments and assessments of the situation.
