• U.S. Strikes Fall Short: Initial intelligence suggests recent U.S. military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities did not significantly damage the core infrastructure of Iran’s nuclear program. The early assessment, shared by sources familiar with the briefing, indicates the attacks may have delayed Iran’s progress by only a few months. While the White House acknowledged the assessment, it publicly disagreed with its conclusions.
• Trump’s Frustration Mounts: President Donald Trump expressed visible anger this morning as tensions between Israel and Iran threatened the fragile ceasefire he helped broker. Speaking before departing for the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump directed particular frustration toward Israel, signaling dissatisfaction with its recent actions.
• Ceasefire Holding—for Now: Despite mutual accusations of violating the truce, both Israel and Iran reaffirmed they would uphold the ceasefire unless provoked. Trump emphasized that the U.S. does not seek regime change in Iran, stating he wants to avoid "chaos" in the regi
Rutte Backs Trump Over NATO Praise and Iran Strikes, Downplays Leak Concerns
The Hague, Netherlands — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday said he had no issue with U.S. President Donald Trump publicizing a private text message that lavishly praised Trump’s pressure campaign on alliance members to increase defense spending. Rutte, speaking as the NATO summit began in The Hague, insisted he stood by every word.
“What I said in the text message to him — totally fine that he published it,” Rutte said. “I think it’s a statement of fact.”
Rutte dismissed suggestions the publicized message was embarrassing. “Absolutely not,” he told reporters. “It’s a statement of fact, and I’m totally fine that he shared it.”
The message, posted by Trump on Truth Social while en route to the summit, praised the U.S. leader’s tough stance: “You will achieve something NO American president in decades could get done. Europe is going to pay in a BIG way, as they should, and it will be your win.”
Rutte Backs US Strikes Despite Mixed Intelligence
Rutte also reiterated his support for Trump’s recent military action against Iran, calling it “decisive” and “truly extraordinary,” despite a U.S. intelligence assessment leaked earlier in the week that concluded the strikes did not destroy the core components of Iran’s nuclear program.
CNN reported that the strikes — involving 14 bunker-busting bombs dropped on key sites like Fordow and Natanz — may have only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by months. But Rutte rejected criticism.
“I think this was crucial to really do everything possible to take out the nuclear capability of the Iranians,” he said, reaffirming NATO’s stance that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons.
Israel, US Dispute Intelligence Assessment
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also brushed aside the U.S. assessment, claiming the strikes had set Iran's nuclear program “many years back.” Smotrich said Israeli and U.S. intelligence teams were still evaluating the full extent of the damage from Operation Rising Lion, which began with unprecedented strikes on June 13.
“We destroyed their scientists, their archives, their abilities,” he told Kan Radio, dismissing claims that centrifuges and enriched uranium stockpiles had survived the attacks.
Ceasefire Holds — For Now
Despite ongoing tensions, a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel remains intact. Both nations have agreed not to break the truce unless provoked, although they traded accusations of violations shortly after it was brokered with help from Qatar.
Trump, now in the Netherlands for the NATO summit, was visibly angered by the instability, particularly with Israel. “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*ck they’re doing,” he said Tuesday. A firm call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed, after which Israel reportedly refrained from further strikes.
Trump, White House Push Back on Leak
President Trump, meanwhile, lashed out at reports suggesting limited damage from the U.S. strikes. On Truth Social, he called the operation “ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY STRIKES IN HISTORY,” insisting Iran’s nuclear sites were “COMPLETELY DESTROYED!”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also dismissed the leaked intelligence assessment as “flat-out wrong,” while Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, called the leak “treasonous” and said it should be investigated.
Ongoing Fallout in Iran and Gaza
Iran claims it has arrested over 700 alleged Israeli agents and collaborators during the conflict. State media said many were linked to sabotage operations and psychological warfare. Some Iranian outlets have reported multiple executions, though CNN has not independently confirmed those claims.
Meanwhile, violence continues in Gaza. Seven Israeli soldiers were killed Tuesday when their armored vehicle was hit by a bomb in Khan Younis, the IDF confirmed. Gaza health officials said 21 Palestinians were killed while waiting for aid, as the humanitarian crisis deepens despite ongoing ceasefire talks.
Looking Ahead
Though the ceasefire between Iran and Israel has entered its twelfth day, the situation remains volatile. Israel has extended a military mobilization order for reservists through July 10, signaling preparations for a potential flare-up. With NATO allies closely watching the situation, Trump’s next moves — both diplomatically and militarily — may define the summit’s tone in The Hague.
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