DUBAI/HAGUE – U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that America could launch further strikes if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear enrichment program. He made the remarks during a NATO summit, emphasizing that although intelligence reports on recent attacks were unclear, the impact may have been severe.
“The intelligence was very inconclusive… It could’ve been very severe,” Trump told reporters. He then added, “It was very severe. There was obliteration,” when describing the recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
However, a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment suggested otherwise. According to the Defense Intelligence Agency, the strikes only sealed entrances to two facilities and didn’t destroy underground buildings. Iran’s nuclear program, largely buried deep underground, may have been delayed by only one or two months.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament has passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA). The bill proposes halting inspections, camera installations, and reporting unless nuclear facility security is guaranteed. The bill still requires approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Trump reiterated that the Iran-Israel ceasefire was holding and called it “a great victory for everybody.” Yet, his claims about the scale of the U.S. airstrikes were challenged. Reports indicated some centrifuges remain intact, and uranium stockpiles were not eliminated.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the U.S. strike, saying it removed the threat of nuclear annihilation. He reaffirmed Israel’s resolve to block any future efforts by Iran to revive its nuclear weapons program.