Claims Iran’s nuclear program set back ‘decades’ by US strike
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that significant progress was being made toward a ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting that the recent U.S. strike on Iran had played a decisive role in shifting regional dynamics.
Speaking at the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump asserted, “I think that because of this attack that we made [in Iran]. I think we’re going to have some very good news… Gaza is very close”.
The conflict in Gaza has continued since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. Israel’s military response has left over 56,000 dead in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, which says more than half of the victims were women and children. Israel disputes these figures.
Trump also addressed the controversial US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, particularly the Fordo site, earlier this week. He claimed the strike was a success and hinted that Israeli agents may have been involved in assessing its impact.
“You know they have guys that go in there after the hit, and they said it was total obliteration,” he told reporters, adding, “Israel is doing a report on it now… I believe they didn’t have a chance to get anything out because we acted fast.”
However, a leaked US intelligence report has cast doubt on the effectiveness of the strikes, suggesting that much of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile may have been moved before the bombing. While the White House rejected the report and condemned the leak, Israeli officials told local media they were unaware of any operation at Fordo following the strike.
Trump remained defiant. “They’re not going to have a bomb, and they’re not going to enrich,” he said. “That hit ended the war,” he added, drawing controversial comparisons to the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
He claimed Iran’s nuclear program had been set back “decades,” and insisted there would be no need for further military action: “I think we’ll end up having somewhat of a relationship with Iran.”
Trump hailed the Iran-Israel ceasefire, calling it “a very equal agreement,” and praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for exercising restraint after Iranian missiles were fired shortly after the truce began.
“Bibi Netanyahu should be very proud of himself,” he said. “I was so proud of them. It was a great thing.”
Despite earlier criticism of Israel’s retaliatory strikes after the ceasefire was declared, Trump appeared to shift tone, applauding Israel for scaling back planned operations and saying the “tremendous victory” achieved through the strike had brought both sides to the negotiating table.
Even as Trump claimed progress toward a Gaza ceasefire, Israeli military officials confirmed that seven Israeli soldiers were killed on Tuesday in Khan Younis when an armored vehicle was struck by an explosive. Hamas claimed responsibility for a separate ambush in the same area.
In related developments, Iran announced the execution of three men accused of spying for Israel, just a day after the truce with Israel took effect. State media said the executions took place in Urmia, near the Turkish border. The men allegedly attempted to smuggle equipment into Iran to carry out assassinations.
Meanwhile, Iran is preparing state funerals for top commanders and scientists killed during the 12-day conflict with Israel. Among those to be honored is Hossein Salami, commander of the Revolutionary Guards, who was reportedly killed on the first day of Israeli strikes.
The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi issued a statement on Wednesday thanking Indian citizens, politicians, academics, NGOs, and religious leaders for “standing firmly and vocally with Iran” during its conflict with Israel.
Calling their solidarity “a source of deep encouragement,” the Embassy said such support reflected the “awakened conscience of nations and their commitment to justice and the principles of international law.”
(With inputs from agencies)