President Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed intelligence reports suggesting a limited impact of US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear program. He maintained that the strikes resulted in the “complete destruction” of the sites and effectively ended the 12-day Iran-Israel war. He controversially compared the strikes to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Trump insisted that the devastation inflicted on Iran’s nuclear sites had forced them to abandon their nuclear ambitions, claiming they “went through hell.” He publicly challenged the credibility of the Pentagon’s assessment, asserting his belief in the total success of the strikes.
The conflict was ignited by Israel’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, citing its intent to halt Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons efforts. Iran consistently denied such intentions, maintaining its program was for peaceful energy. The 12-day conflict caused extensive damage and casualties.
A ceasefire, which Trump reportedly brokered, was in effect. Trump’s strong defense of his military decisions and his distrust of intelligence that contradicts his narrative remain prominent aspects of his public discourse.