U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly defended his recent decision to authorize airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, pushing back against leaked intelligence assessments that suggest the operation only temporarily delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The developments unfolded alongside the NATO Summit in The Hague, where Trump adopted a more cooperative tone while advocating for increased defense spending across the alliance.
Over the weekend, U.S. B-2 bombers targeted three suspected Iranian nuclear sites. President Trump declared the mission a success, stating that the facilities had been “obliterated.” However, an early assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) indicated that Iran’s nuclear program may only have been delayed by a few months. The report noted that much of Iran’s underground infrastructure remained intact, prompting questions about the long-term impact of the strikes.
At the NATO summit on June 25, President Trump sharply criticized media reports from outlets such as CNN and The New York Times, which highlighted the DIA’s findings. He labeled the intelligence leaks as “low-confidence” and accused those behind them of undermining the mission and demoralizing U.S. troops. The White House echoed his comments, calling the reports politically motivated and misleading.
Despite previously questioning NATO’s relevance and the obligations under Article 5 of the alliance’s mutual defense pact, Trump used the summit to affirm his support for NATO, stating that allies are now “loving their countries” and contributing more fairly to shared defense goals. Nevertheless, he singled out Spain for failing to meet spending targets and threatened trade measures in response.
The summit concluded with a significant agreement among NATO members to redefine defense spending. The new framework expands the traditional benchmark of 2% of GDP to include investments in infrastructure and cybersecurity, with a collective goal of reaching 5% by 2035. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte played a crucial role in smoothing diplomatic tensions, adjusting the summit format to accommodate Trump and foster consensus.
CNN’s fact-checkers reviewed several of Trump’s statements during the summit. They identified inaccuracies, including exaggerations about the Iran strike’s success and economic claims related to inflation and U.S. energy policy.
Internationally, the Iran strike has raised concerns about escalating conflict in the Middle East. Following the U.S. action, Israel conducted its limited strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli territory. The situation has heightened tensions across the region, with the United Nations calling for restraint from all sides.
Market analysts have noted a rise in Brent crude oil prices, which have climbed above \$75 per barrel amid fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global oil transport.
As further intelligence assessments from agencies like the CIA and NSA are expected in the coming days, questions continue to circulate about the strategic value of the strikes and the broader geopolitical consequences. Meanwhile, NATO appears to be undergoing a realignment, driven in large part by U.S. pressure for greater financial and strategic commitments.