US airstrikes did not destroy Iran's nuclear capability and only set it back by a few months, according to a preliminary US intelligence assessment. The report produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency - the intelligence arm of the Pentagon - concluded key components of the nuclear program, including centrifuges, were capable of being restarted within months.
The report also found that much of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium was moved before the strikes and may have been moved to other secret nuclear sites maintained by Iran.
In response, the White House said the assessment is "flat-out wrong" and is "a clear attempt to demean" President Trump. Following which Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran’s nuclear sites were “completely destroyed”.
Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran seems to be holding, with both nations acknowledging it is in place.
The ceasefire however did show early signs of strain with an Iranian missile attack and an Israeli assault on Tehran after the truce came into effect.
An angry Trump lashed out at both nations for the ceasefire violations declaring that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.
Shifting focus, NATO leaders have reached The Hague for this year’s annual summit against a backdrop of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and the Middle East. Notably though, Trump has expressed uncertainty over whether Washington would abide by the mutual defence guarantees outlined in the NATO treaty.
Trump told reporters that it “depends on your definition” while reiterating that he is “committed to being their friends” as well as to “life and safety”.
Ahead of his arrival, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sent him a pre-summit message, lavishing praise on him.
Addressing Trump as “dear, Donald”, Rutte thanked Trump for his “decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do”. Adding that Trump is “flying into another big success in The Hague” and that despite difficulties “we've got them all signed on to five percent".
Asked later if it was embarrassing that his private message had been shared, Rutte told reporters that there was "absolutely no problem”.
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