U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that the United States will hold nuclear negotiations with Iran next week, in a surprise diplomatic pivot just days after a devastating military campaign against Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Speaking from The Hague during a NATO summit, Trump declared that the recent U.S. airstrikes had “obliterated” key Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to agree to talks. “We’re going to talk to them next week,” he said. “We may sign an agreement. I don’t know. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary.”
The comments come amid cautious relief across the Middle East after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel—its most intense confrontation in decades—ended in a ceasefire on Tuesday. Trump credited the airstrikes with forcing a swift end to the hostilities, calling it “a victory for everybody.”
Intelligence Split on Damage to Iran’s Nuclear Program
U.S. intelligence reports, however, offered a more measured assessment, suggesting that while Iran’s nuclear ambitions were set back, they may only have been delayed by months. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that “several key Iranian facilities were destroyed,” estimating it would take years to fully rebuild.
A satellite image shows damage to the tunnel entrances of the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Research Center, following U.S. airstrikes amid the Iran-Israel conflict, in Isfahan, Iran, June 22, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. DO NOT OBSCURE LOGO.
Israel’s intelligence agency took a more optimistic view, claiming the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear weapons capability by many years—a conclusion the White House shared, though Trump noted he wasn’t relying on Israeli data.
Iran has long denied pursuing nuclear weapons. Still, Trump insisted that Tehran, reeling from the air campaign, had little appetite to enrich uranium now. “They want to recover,” he said.
The airstrikes followed Israel’s surprise bombing campaign on June 13, which eliminated top Iranian military and scientific figures. Iran retaliated with an unprecedented missile barrage, breaching Israeli defenses. The war left 627 Iranians and 28 Israelis dead, according to official figures.
After Ceasefire, Iran Signals Reform — and Control
In Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian, a moderate elected last year, suggested the conflict could be a turning point for internal reforms. “This war and the empathy that it fostered… is an opportunity to change the outlook of management,” he said.
People celebrate what they say is Iran’s victory, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Beirut, Lebanon June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir
Still, Tehran’s leadership moved quickly to reassert control. Authorities announced the execution of three men accused of working with Israel’s Mossad and detained 700 others suspected of espionage.
Despite earlier rhetoric suggesting regime change, Trump has since distanced himself from such goals. “I don’t want to see regime change,” he said. “That would bring chaos.”
Relief and Exhaustion on Both Sides
Ordinary citizens in both countries have met the ceasefire with cautious relief. “People are relieved that the war has stopped, but there’s a lot of uncertainty about what comes next,” said Farah, 67, who had fled bombing in Tehran, as reported by Reuters.
Israelis sit at a cafe, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Florion Goga TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
In Tel Aviv, residents echoed the sentiment. “Those past two weeks were catastrophic,” said Rony Hoter-Ishay Meyer, 38. “We need to get back to our normal energy.”
