Trump Claims Iran Nuclear Facility 'Obliteration' Despite Intelligence Contradictions

2025-06-25 12:00:11.634

President Donald Trump is steadfast in his assertion that the U.S. military completely destroyed three Iranian nuclear facilities, despite a U.S. intelligence assessment indicating only minor setbacks to Iran's nuclear weapons program. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump dismissed a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency analysis suggesting that the attack inflicted only a few months' delay. He countered that the damage was a 'virtual obliteration'. Trump's claims were echoed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who described the mission as 'flawless' and the damage as 'devastation'. Hegseth criticized the DIA analysts, suggesting their report was politically motivated and part of a leak investigation by the FBI. Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined in, attacking the leakers and claiming the facilities were 'wiped out'. Trump himself described the operation as an 'unbelievable success' and a 'perfect operation', criticizing the press for not adequately praising the pilots. He later acknowledged the intelligence report's ambiguity, stating it was 'very inconclusive' while still maintaining the damage was 'very severe'. This exchange occurred at the start of Trump's appearance at the NATO summit, where he initially seemed to soften his previously skeptical stance on Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, stating 'We’re with them all the way'.