Hot conflicts and controversies: U.S. versus Iran, Israel, and Palestine
Military officials and the Pentagon assertedly declare an assault on nuclear installations.
Washington/Tehran - What's the real story behind the damage to Iran's nuclear facilities following U.S. attacks? U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will shed light on this controversial issue today in a joint press conference with top military officials. According to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Iran's nuclear facilities have suffered significant damage. However, the precise extent of the damage remains a mystery, difficult to independently verify.
Initially, a classified assessment by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) suggested that Iran's nuclear program would be set back only a few months due to the heavy bombardment by U.S. forces. The White House discredited this report as misinformation, with President Donald Trump claiming the facilities have been annihilated.
CIA: Rebuilding nuclear facilities could take years
CIA Director John Ratcliffe now claims it would take "years" to rebuild the nuclear facilities damaged in the attacks. Similarly, U.S. Intelligence Coordinator Tulsi Gabbard states that a potential reconstruction of facilities in Fordo, Natans, and Isfahan may also take years.
Interestingly, both Gabbard and the CIA appear to back the statements of Supreme Commander Trump, who isn’t known for embracing dissent on his official stance. Trump declared the strikes a "death blow" to Iran's nuclear program, and at the NATO summit in The Hague, he described the nuclear facilities as completely destroyed.
The attacks were launched due to fears of Iranian leaders clandestinely developing nuclear weapons while maintaining public claims of using nuclear energy solely for civil purposes. This claim is questionable, considering Iran is the only country not possessing nuclear weapons yet boasting enriched uranium nearing weapon-grade purity in its history.
The "Jerusalem Post" reports, citing Israeli officials, that the full extent of the destroyed highly enriched uranium remains unclear, and it's uncertain if some radioactive materials can't be recovered.
Trump lashes out at Israel's justice system
Following the coordinated military operation with Israel's government, Trump criticized Israel's justice system for the corruption case against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I am bewildered that the State of Israel, in the midst of one of its greatest moments under Bibi Netanyahu's leadership, is persisting with this absurd witch hunt against its Prime Minister." Trump remarked on his Truth Social news platform, demanding the case against Netanyahu be dropped immediately.
Netanyahu is accused of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. He is suspected of granting favors to telecommunications giant Bezeq as Communications Minister and receiving luxury gifts from friendly billionaires. Netanyahu has consistently denied the allegations, calling the case a "witch hunt."
Germans evacuated from Israel amid ceasefire
Meanwhile, Israel's air force has evacuated more Germans from Israel after a ceasefire with Iran. The German Foreign Office announced on Twitter, "The ceasefire between Israel and Iran is holding. Despite the calm, another 76 Germans are leaving the region with military assistance. In total, we have assisted around 800 Germans with special flights."
Violence erupts in Palestinian territories
Tensions are still high in Palestinian territories despite the Israel-Iran ceasefire. Violent clashes erupted in a Palestinian village in the West Bank following an attack by Israeli settlers. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, three Palestinians were killed by gunfire in the village of Kufr Malik, and seven others were injured, one critically. Residents claim that settlers and soldiers opened fire.
Dozens of Israelis set fires in the village, and confrontations subsequently broke out between Israeli and Palestinian civilians, resulting in exchange of stones and a military response involving fired bullets. The military stated that soldiers returned fire when met with gunfire, leading to several injuries and fatalities.
War-and-conflicts continue to dominate global politics, with the ongoing tensions between the U.S., Iran, and their allies sparking controversy. In light of the recent attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, U.S. intelligence agencies, such as the CIA, have reported that rebuilding these facilities could take years, which aligns with President Trump's description of the strikes as a "death blow" to Iran's nuclear program. Meanwhile, general news outlets have also reported on the separate issue of politics within Israel, with Trump criticizing Israel's justice system for the ongoing corruption case against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, violence continues in Palestinian territories.
