Articles in this Cluster
27-06-2025
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the US gained nothing from its strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming they did not disrupt the country's nuclear program. In contrast, US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, asserted that the strikes significantly damaged Iran's nuclear ambitions, setting it back by years. Khamenei threatened further retaliation against US bases if Iran is attacked again, while the US is considering options to entice Iran back to negotiations, which Iran's foreign minister has ruled out.
27-06-2025
The CIA and Director of National Intelligence released new intelligence indicating that recent strikes on its nuclear facilities have severely set back Iran's nuclear capabilities by damaging key sites, which would need to be entirely reconstructed, a process likely to take years. The assessment contradicts a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency assessment that suggested the Iranian nuclear program was only delayed by months, prompting criticism from administration leaders, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who also condemned the leak of the DIA report.
27-06-2025
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory over Israel and the US, stating that Iran had given the US "a big slap in the face" despite a US-brokered ceasefire. Khamenei's claims were not supported by evidence, as most of Iran's missiles were intercepted by Israel's air defenses and none hit the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. The conflict resulted in at least 1,054 deaths in Iran, including 318 military personnel, and significant damage to Iran's nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported "very significant physical damage" to three nuclear sites, contradicting Khamenei's claims that the US and Israel had not caused significant damage. Iran has since passed legislation to halt cooperation with the IAEA, raising concerns of a new major crisis. Khamenei's statements may have been aimed at calming anxiety among Iranians, who are tightly controlled by the government and have limited access to outside information.
27-06-2025
Some Senate Democrats expressed skepticism about the Trump administration's claim that the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities resulted in "total obliteration" after being briefed by top officials. Senators Chris Murphy, Mark Warner, and Chuck Schumer questioned the extent to which the strikes hindered Iran's nuclear program, suggesting that the administration's assessment may be overly optimistic. An initial classified assessment found that the strikes set back Tehran's nuclear program by a matter of months, contradicting President Trump's claim that it was set back "basically decades." Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, defended the administration's characterization, but acknowledged that Iran's capabilities could potentially be restored.
27-06-2025
The US launched "Operation Midnight Hammer", a large-scale military strike on Iran involving over 125 aircraft and dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles. The operation used B-2 stealth bombers and GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs, with defence secretary Pete Hegseth describing its scope and scale as breathtaking. However, assessments of the damage to Iran's nuclear programme vary widely, making it impossible to determine the true extent of the damage.
27-06-2025
Donald Trump has bombed Iran's nuclear programme and imposed a ceasefire on Israel and Iran without any American losses, a decision that has been vindicated despite initial concerns. To prevent further escalation, Trump must now present a comprehensive plan to reset the Middle East, offering Iran more than just military action and humiliation.
27-06-2025
Israel recently launched a military operation against Iran, but the outcome is uncertain. The attack's success depends on various factors, including Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and the response of the US, now led by a potentially unpredictable President Donald Trump, who had previously shown willingness to negotiate with Iran before the attack.
27-06-2025
Israel is conducting a bombing campaign against Iran, having destroyed over 120 ballistic-missile launchers and significantly damaging Iran's air defenses, allowing Israeli aircraft to conduct daylight raids over Tehran, in an effort to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb, a goal that is fraught with uncertainty and dependent on various factors including Iran's supreme leader and the stance of the US president.
27-06-2025
Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, effectively ending their 12-day war, with the news being announced by Donald Trump on social media before being confirmed by both countries. The war's impact is uncertain, with questions remaining about the damage to Iran's nuclear program and the potential for the Iranian regime to implode or rush to develop a nuclear bomb.
27-06-2025
Ehud Olmert, Netanyahu's predecessor, believes the US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites give Netanyahu an opportunity to end the wars with Iran and in Gaza, but it is uncertain whether he will seize it.
27-06-2025
Donald Trump's task after US forces joined Israel's campaign against Iran is to prevent a regional escalation and persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, but this will be difficult; to succeed, Trump must offer Iran more than military action and humiliation.
27-06-2025
Iran's regime is facing a severe crisis due to Israel's ongoing military campaign and a call by US President Donald Trump for Tehran to "immediately evacuate." Some Iranians are celebrating the recent assassination of their generals, sparking hopes of an uprising or coup. However, Iran's history suggests that it tends to defy aggressors rather than capitulate, and an extended war with significant civilian casualties could rally nationalistic public opinion around the regime, allowing it to survive and potentially accelerate its nuclear ambitions.
27-06-2025
The Trump administration has been involved in discussions about restarting diplomatic talks, with details emerging of potential agreements, such as helping Iran access up to $30 billion to develop a nuclear energy infrastructure, easing sanctions, and freeing restricted Iranian assets. These secret talks aim to re-establish diplomatic efforts that could potentially ease the tensions between the US and Iran. The Trump administration has taken significant steps, such as announcing airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which has led to reactions from various politicians and analysts, with some criticizing his actions as contradictory to previous stances.
27-06-2025
The US House of Representatives is set to receive a classified briefing on Iran as the Trump administration projects confidence in the success of last weekend's strikes in Iran. Despite this, the administration has not provided new intelligence supporting President Trump's claim that Iran's nuclear program was "obliterated." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has no plans to resume nuclear negotiations with the US, while sources reveal secret diplomatic efforts to bring Iran back to the negotiating table. The US strikes targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Fordow enrichment facility, and Iran has acknowledged "serious" damage. Senators who received a classified briefing on the strikes had differing accounts of the damage, with Republicans believing it will take Iran years longer to build a nuclear weapon and Democrats saying the picture is less clear. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a defiant message, stating that the US strikes were not about Iran's nuclear program, but about Iran surrendering.
27-06-2025
CNN's Kaitlan Collins pressed President Donald Trump on whether the US was relying on Israeli intelligence to assess damage from strikes in Iran. Trump dominated discussions at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, where 32 world leaders attended. Trump also faced criticism for his claims that the US strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities, contradicting a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report that suggested the strikes may have only set back Iran's nuclear program by months. Meanwhile, Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, and Trump's administration faced backlash for detaining a father of three US Marines in California. Trump also lashed out at both Israel and Iran, criticizing Israel for "unloading" on Iran after a ceasefire was brokered.
27-06-2025
A Middle East expert, Jacob Olidort, believes Iran is downplaying the damage from recent US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites to "save face." Olidort stated that both the US and Israel claim to have achieved their objectives, with Israel saying it has set back Iran's nuclear program by years. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman acknowledged that its nuclear installations were "badly damaged," but refused to provide details. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, described the damage as "very, very, very considerable."
27-06-2025
Mossad Director David Barnea thanked the US, particularly the CIA, for their help in thwarting Iran's nuclear program, saying that the Iranian threat had been "significantly thwarted" due to cooperation between Israel and the US. Barnea expressed his gratitude to Israeli and American forces alike after the success of Israel's Operation Rising Lion, but noted that "the mission is not yet complete." US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had worked together behind the scenes on the operation, and both vowed to respond if Iran rebuilds its nuclear program. Iran's nuclear chief said that the country was assessing the damage and preparing to restore the facilities.
27-06-2025
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has slammed US President Donald Trump on social media, calling Trump's demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender" too audacious. The exchange comes after the US carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, which Trump said were executed perfectly under his leadership. Khamenei's remarks appear to be an attempt to project strength, despite Iran's nuclear capabilities being severely damaged. The Iranian regime has reportedly carried out mass arrests and executions, with over 700 individuals arrested on "political or security-related charges" and three executed for allegedly spying on behalf of Israel.
27-06-2025
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's news conference highlighted the politicization of the US attack on Iran's Fordow nuclear plant, with disagreements over the characterization of the damage. The key questions are whether the attack will deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, and if not, how long it will take them to return to the nuclear threshold. The success of the US bombing depends on the answers to these questions, rather than the immediate assessment of the damage.
27-06-2025
The US airstrikes on Iran have sparked a debate over their success, with President Donald Trump claiming they severely damaged Iran's nuclear programme, while Democrats dispute this, citing a lack of concrete evidence. A leaked preliminary intelligence report suggested the strikes only set back Iran's nuclear ambitions by "months", contradicting Trump's assertion that they "blew it up". The truth about the extent of the damage remains unclear as it lies buried deep underground, fueling a battle of political narratives in Congress.
27-06-2025
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice praised the US and Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, calling it a "shot in the arm" for American credibility on the global stage. Rice stated that the strikes significantly damaged Iran's nuclear program, setting it back substantially, and that the operation was a success. She criticized a leaked intelligence assessment that claimed the strikes did not destroy key components of Iran's nuclear facilities, calling it "irresponsible." Rice also expressed skepticism that Iran is interested in peace, given its history of destabilizing the region and its proxies holding terror against several countries. She added that the US strikes helped establish American credibility, which was damaged after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan under former President Joe Biden.
27-06-2025
The fate of Iran's 880-pound stockpile of uranium enriched to 60%, near bomb grade, remains unclear after US and Israeli strikes damaged several Iranian nuclear facilities. US intelligence agencies had assessed that Iran might try to move the stockpile to protect it or use it to build a bomb. The US administration has given conflicting statements on whether the stockpile was destroyed or moved, with some officials saying it was not moved and others indicating contradictory intelligence. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general believes that a significant amount of the stockpile remains under Iranian control and was likely dispersed to different locations. European officials also assess that Iran had moved the stockpile, but the exact location remains uncertain. The damage to Iranian nuclear facilities, including centrifuges and a conversion facility, has set back Iran's ability to produce new fuel, but it is unclear how quickly they could produce a bomb using the existing stockpile.
27-06-2025
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country's nuclear facilities suffered "significant and serious damages" from US strikes, contradicting earlier claims by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the attacks were not significant. Araghchi indicated that Iran may stop cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency and questioned whether inspectors would be allowed to access nuclear sites. Iran's Guardian Council approved a bill to ban cooperation with the IAEA, and Araghchi said the government would enforce the law. The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program remains unclear, with questions surrounding the fate of 400 kilograms of enriched uranium and the status of advanced centrifuges.
27-06-2025
Iranian Kurdish dissident groups abroad are closely monitoring signs of vulnerability in Iran's theocratic government following a 12-day war with Israel that ended with a US-negotiated ceasefire, particularly after the US launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs.
27-06-2025
Donald Trump's presidency may be impacted by the Iran-Israel war, despite his initial plans to resolve wars through deals. Iran has historically had a significant influence on American presidencies, with past events such as the 1979 Iranian revolution and the Iran-contra affair affecting previous administrations. Karim Sadjadpour notes that both action and inaction by Trump regarding Iran will have consequences, and the ongoing conflict could potentially draw him in, just as it did his predecessor Joe Biden.
27-06-2025
Chinese analysts warn that a potential second Donald Trump presidency may increase the risk of global military conflict, as the US may be drawn into wars involving smaller nations or allies, citing the recent US involvement in Israel's conflict with Iran as an example, with Trump's leadership seen as accelerating deglobalisation and heightening international uncertainty.
27-06-2025
Iran has intensified its internal security crackdown following a 12-day war with Israel, resulting in mass arrests and executions. According to reports, 705 individuals were arrested on "political or security-related charges," with some sources stating that they were detained for allegedly working with Israel. There are also reports of three people being executed for being Mossad spies, and at least six others on death row are at risk of execution on similar charges. The crackdown has dampened hopes of an uprising and regime change in Iran, with authorities maintaining a strong street presence and using harsh measures to quell dissent.
27-06-2025
Iranian authorities have carried out a wave of arrests and executions of people suspected of links to Israeli intelligence agencies following the recent conflict between the two countries. Officials claim that Israeli agents infiltrated Iranian security services, leading to the targeted killings of senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Since the conflict, three people were executed for spying for Israel, and hundreds have been arrested on accusations of espionage. State television has aired alleged confessions from detainees. Human rights groups have expressed concerns over forced confessions and unfair trials, and fear more executions may follow. The Iranian government has also targeted journalists working for Persian-language media outlets abroad, detained activists and family members of those killed during anti-government protests, and restricted internet access. Critics fear the authorities may resort to mass arrests, executions, and repression, drawing parallels to the 1980s when thousands of political prisoners were executed.
27-06-2025
The US and China have reached a "framework" agreement on rare earth shipments following bilateral trade talks in Geneva. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to miss the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro for the first time, with Premier Li Qiang leading the Chinese delegation instead. Other key developments include US President Donald Trump's efforts to salvage a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which both countries have allegedly violated.
27-06-2025
The US and China have reached an agreement to expedite shipments of rare earth elements to the US, according to a White House official. The deal is part of efforts to end a trade war between the two countries, with the US agreeing to remove countermeasures once China delivers the rare earths. The agreement builds on a previous deal in Geneva in May, where China committed to removing non-tariff countermeasures imposed against the US. China had previously suspended exports of critical minerals and magnets in retaliation against new US tariffs, disrupting global supply chains.
