WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV/ISTANBUL. U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites failed to destroy the country’s nuclear capability. They only set it back by a few months, according to a preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment, as a fragile ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump took effect between Iran and Israel.
On Tuesday, both nations signaled that their 12-day air war had come to a halt following Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire at 0500 GMT. Civilian restrictions were lifted in both countries, and each side sought to claim victory.
President Trump previously stated that the U.S. strikes, which included the use of 30,000-pound bombs, had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. However, an initial intelligence assessment reportedly contradicts this, with sources saying that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles remain and its program, largely based in underground facilities, was only delayed by one to two months.
The White House dismissed the intelligence report as “flat out wrong.” According to individuals familiar with the assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency, the bombings only sealed the entrances to two nuclear sites and failed to collapse the subterranean structures. Some centrifuges remained operational, according to The Washington Post.
Despite this, the U.S. informed the United Nations Security Council that its strikes had “degraded” Iran’s capabilities, a more moderate claim compared to Trump’s earlier statements.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the strikes, saying they had eliminated the threat of nuclear destruction. “We have removed two immediate existential threats to us: the threat of nuclear annihilation and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, called the ceasefire a “great victory” and expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with the United States. In a conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Pezeshkian reportedly expressed Iran’s willingness to resolve differences.
The air war began on June 13, when Israel launched a surprise attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, killing senior military commanders. Iran responded with missile barrages targeting Israeli military sites and cities. Iran reported 610 fatalities and over 4,700 injuries from Israeli strikes, while its retaliatory attacks killed 28 people in Israel — the first time Iranian missiles overwhelmed Israel’s air defenses.
Israel lifted its nationwide activity restrictions at 8 p.m. local time, reopening Ben Gurion Airport. Iran’s airspace was also reopened, according to state-affiliated media.
The ceasefire appeared tenuous, with both sides accusing each other of violations and hesitating to formally acknowledge the agreement. Trump publicly rebuked both Iran and Israel, directing especially harsh criticism at Israel for what he described as a breach of the truce. “I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now,” Trump told reporters, adding that both sides had been fighting “so long and so hard that they don’t know what the [expletive] they’re doing.”
Trump’s intervention, according to a White House official, came after discussions with Netanyahu and indirect communication with Iranian officials. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz assured U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Israel would uphold the ceasefire unless Iran broke it. Pezeshkian gave similar assurances on Iran’s behalf.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said a “significant chapter” of the conflict had ended, though operations would now refocus on Hamas militants in Gaza. Iran’s military also warned the U.S. and Israel to reflect on the “crushing blows” it had delivered.
Markets responded positively to the truce, with global oil prices plunging and stock markets rallying amid eased concerns over disruptions to Gulf oil supplies.
Though tensions remain high and trust is minimal, the U.S.-brokered ceasefire highlighted Washington’s continuing influence in the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
