Trump highlights ceasefire win at NATO Summit as questions swirl over Iran nuclear strikes
President Donald Trump is highlighting what he calls a major diplomatic achievement during his appearance at the NATO Summit in the Netherlands.
(NBC)- President Donald Trump is highlighting what he calls a major diplomatic achievement during his appearance at the NATO Summit in the Netherlands — a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran that, for now, appears to be holding. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump recounted how he personally urged Israel’s Prime Minister to back down from a planned retaliatory strike.
“I said, you gotta call back the planes. It’s enough. It’s enough. And they did,” the President said.
The ceasefire comes as new questions emerge about the effectiveness of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to a preliminary assessment by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency — cited by three sources familiar with the findings — Iran’s nuclear program has likely been delayed by three to six months. The White House is strongly disputing that report, calling the assessment “flat out wrong.” Trump insists the strikes inflicted far more serious damage. “Iran will never rebuild its nuclear, from there, absolutely not. That place is under rock,” he declared.
However, one of the sources claims “core pieces” of the nuclear program remain intact, and there are growing concerns about what Iran may have moved from the targeted sites before the attacks took place. Top Democrats in Congress are accusing the Trump administration of misrepresenting the scope of the damage. They’re also criticizing the White House for delaying classified briefings lawmakers have demanded. “What are they running away from?” asked House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).
Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed there was a “significant” level of visible damage but noted the agency has not been able to fully evaluate the underground destruction, particularly at the critical Fordow site. Grossi is now urging Iran to return to the negotiating table in search of a lasting diplomatic solution.
