A new US intelligence report says US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities did not destroy the country’s nuclear capabilities. The attacks only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a month or two, and President Donald Trump stopped short of claiming total destruction.
Limited Impact of U.S. Airstrikes
Over the weekend, the United States joined Israel in airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. President Trump said the strikes had “destructed” Iran’s nuclear program. But initial intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency suggested the damage was much less severe. Some nuclear equipment, including centrifuges, was spared. Only the entrances to some buildings were blocked, not the facilities themselves. Iran still enriches uranium, and much of its nuclear infrastructure is underground, making it difficult to completely destroy. This raises serious questions about how effective the strikes really were.
Ceasefire After 12 Days of War
The air war between Iran and Israel has raged for 12 days. After a ceasefire brokered by President Trump, both countries have now signaled they will stop fighting. Trump criticized both sides for breaking the ceasefire but directed harsh words at Israel, saying, “I have to get Israel to calm down now.” He later confirmed that Israel had stopped further attacks at his request. However, trust between the two countries is low, and many experts fear that the ceasefire may not last long.
Conflicting Victory Claims
- Both sides claim to have won the war.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said the strikes had eliminated the “threat of nuclear annihilation.”
- Iranian President Masoud Pezizkian called the end of the war a “great victory” for Iran and said Tehran was ready to talk to the United States.
- Iran also said it had targeted Israel heavily during the war and warned both Israel and the United States to learn from the “crushing blows.”
Death Toll and Destruction
The 12-day war was deadly for both countries:
- 610 people were killed in Iran and 4,746 were injured.
- Iranian missile strikes killed 28 people in Israel, the first time Iranian missiles had penetrated Israeli air defenses.
- Major airports such as Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv were closed but have now reopened.
- The war also caused great fear in global markets. But after news of a ceasefire, oil prices fell and stock markets rose – showing signs of global relief.
Ongoing Uncertainty
Although the ceasefire has now been lifted, both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement. Israel says Iran fired missiles after the ceasefire began. Iran denies this and claims that Israel continued bombing even after the ceasefire began.
Despite these accusations, many civilians are happy that the fighting has stopped. One man who returned home to Tehran said that the war is over and should never have started.
The breaking news also highlights that American diplomacy in the Middle East still has some impact. President Trump has been able to bring both countries to the negotiating table, although tensions remain high.
Middle East Tensions Ease as Ceasefire Begins
- US airstrikes on Iran caused only minor damage to nuclear facilities.
- Both Iran and Israel claim victory but are now observing a fragile ceasefire.
- Trump’s involvement played a key role in brokering a temporary peace.
- Civilian casualties on both sides were high, and many fear the ceasefire may not hold.
The situation is a powerful reminder of how fragile the peace in the Middle East is. While the fighting has stopped for now, the threat of future violence remains. The international community will be watching closely in the coming days.
