Gladness Gideon
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to hold a press conference Thursday morning to present an updated assessment of the weekend’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, amid growing controversy over the extent of the damage inflicted and its implications for Iran’s atomic capabilities.
The announcement follows mounting domestic and international debate over whether the coordinated U.S. airstrikes — launched in tandem with Israeli assaults on military and nuclear targets — significantly degraded Tehran’s nuclear program or merely caused temporary disruption.
While Israel insists its actions were aimed at thwarting an “imminent nuclear threat,” and U.S. officials maintain the operations were successful, early classified reports suggest otherwise. A CNN-reported intelligence assessment indicated the strikes may have only set back Iran’s nuclear program by several months, sparking criticism of their efficacy.
One key concern is whether Iran preemptively relocated over 400 kilograms of enriched uranium before the attacks — a scenario that could allow it to resume nuclear development at undisclosed locations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back strongly against those claims. “The United States had no indication that enriched uranium was moved prior to the strikes,” she said in a Fox News interview. “What’s on the ground is now buried under miles of rubble.”
President Donald Trump, who appointed Hegseth as Defense Secretary and has led the administration’s messaging, declared the facilities were “obliterated” and hailed the mission’s success. “He [Hegseth] will fight for the dignity of our great American pilots,” Trump stated, confirming the upcoming press conference.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe supported the White House position, asserting that several of Iran’s key nuclear facilities had been “destroyed” and would require years to rebuild.
However, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) urged caution in declaring victory, noting that while the strike delivered a “significant blow,” a full damage assessment was still underway.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged that “nuclear installations have been badly damaged,” while continuing to defend its right to peaceful nuclear development. Iranian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, have also confirmed interest in resuming nuclear talks with Washington.
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Despite the recent hostilities, diplomatic overtures appear to be gaining traction. Trump revealed that preliminary negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are slated for next week, with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff expressing optimism about reaching a “comprehensive peace agreement.”
Iran and Israel have begun easing wartime restrictions. Tehran reopened eastern airspace, though flights to and from the capital remain restricted. In Tel Aviv, residents expressed relief at the temporary calm following nearly two weeks of conflict.
The 12-day confrontation has been the deadliest direct conflict between the two long-time regional adversaries. According to Iran’s health ministry, 627 civilians were killed in the Israeli airstrikes. Iranian missile attacks on Israel resulted in 28 fatalities.
A state funeral for several high-ranking Revolutionary Guard commanders, including General Hossein Salami, is scheduled for Saturday in Tehran, following his death in an Israeli strike. Originally planned for his hometown, the ceremony has been elevated to a national level, reflecting the symbolic weight of the losses.
As global attention shifts to the U.S. briefing on Thursday, both allies and adversaries await clarity on the true impact of the strikes — and the next phase of the volatile U.S.-Iran-Israel triangle.