Donald Trump does not like his victory lap ruined. On Wednesday, June 25, the president of the United States attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, Netherlands, looking to celebrate two big wins: a new defense spending target for Alliance members – 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) – and the cease-fire secured between Iran and Israel.
But his moment was overshadowed by growing doubts about the effectiveness of recent US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites – Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. The controversy began the day before, when a preliminary and still incomplete report from the Pentagon’s intelligence arm was leaked.
Trump’s irritation was noticeable throughout the day. His repeated references to Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a far-fetched comparison meant to illustrate the deterrent power of American strikes – betrayed his zeal and nervousness. According to the classified report revealed by CNN and confirmed by the New York Times, there was no evidence to support the president’s claim that the underground structures at Fordo and Natanz had been “destroyed.” Their entrances had simply been sealed. In Isfahan, however, the installation for converting gaseous uranium (UF6) into uranium metal appeared to have been eliminated, which would represent a significant loss in the nuclear fuel cycle.
You have 76.33% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
