'Fake news': Trump rejects US report suggesting Iran strike had limited impact
President Donald Trump has rejected a leaked US intelligence report that suggested the strike on Iran's nuclear facilities only set them back by a few months.
The highly classified report, produced by the Defense Intelligence Agency and US Central Command, contradicts statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the status of Iran's nuclear facilities.
Over the weekend, the US struck the Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites after Israel claimed it needed American bunker buster bombs to help support the operation.
Sources – who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity – say the US caused significant damage to the structures but said the sites were not totally destroyed.
In response, Trump took to social media to hit out at the reporting saying in all-caps that any reporting that the strikes weren't 'completely destroyed' was 'fake news' and an attempt to 'demean one of the most successful military strikes in history.'
The White House also strongly pushed back on the assessment, calling it 'flat-out wrong'.
'The leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran's nuclear program,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff went even further and said the leak of the report to the media was 'treasonous'.
The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful, but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations.
Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons, which it neither confirms nor denies.
At least 610 people have been killed in Iran since Israel began its attacks, Iranian state-run media said. In Israel, 28 civilians have been killed by Iranian missile attacks, according to local authorities.
As of Wednesday morning, the tenuous ceasefire between the two nations appeared to be holding after President Trump criticised them both heavily for not following it earlier in the week.
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Sky News
41 minutes ago
- Sky News
Iran and NATO summit live: Trump to speak as NATO agrees spending pledge - after repeatedly rejecting reports about US Iran strikes
Rutte thinks Trump 'deserves all the praise' when asked by Sky about flattery NATO's chief has been under the spotlight over the past 24 hours for his language towards Donald Trump. The president shared a text he received from Mark Rutte yesterday, written with particularly gushing language. Today, he referred to him as "daddy" when it comes to resolving the Iran-Israel conflict - see our 13.22 post for more on that. Our security and defence editor Deborah Haynes asked at his news conference a short while ago if this flattery makes him look weak. "No, I don't think so, I think it's a bit of a question of taste, but I think he's a good friend," he said. He also credited Trump for driving an increased commitment among the alliance to up defence spending. Rutte added: "Doesn't he deserve some praise? "And when it comes to Iran, the fact that he took this decisive action, very targeted, to make sure that Iran would not be able to get its hands on a nuclear capability, I think he deserves all the praise." Watch the moment Haynes asks her question below: Kremlin: US and Iran disagree about damage caused by strikes Iran and the United States disagree about the amount of damage caused by American bombing raids on Iranian nuclear facilities. That's according to Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. Speaking earlier, he said Moscow welcomes the ceasefire between Iran and Israel and hopes it lasts. But he stressed the fundamentally different explanations about the US strikes on Iran. "The one that carried out the strikes believes significant damage was inflicted," the Russian official said. "And the one who received these strikes believes that everything was prepared in advance and that these objects did not suffer excessive, significant damage," Ushakov told reporters. Watch below: Sky's Tom Clarke explains why some Iranian nuclear sites were spared and not attacked by Israeli or US bombers A spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry said earlier on Wednesday that the US strikes had caused significant damage to Tehran's nuclear facilities. Earlier in the day, the Kremlin had said it thought it was too early for anyone to have an accurate picture of the extent of damage caused. NATO's Article 5 explained - watch and read Deborah Haynes, Sky's defence and security editor, is at The Hague for today's NATO summit. Going into the gathering, Donald Trump cast doubt on his commitment to and interpretation of the alliance's Article 5 - the agreement that an attack on one member is an attack on all of them. But as she explained earlier, the alliance has since committed to the principle. Haynes explains why Article 5 is so important in the video below: You can also read more about the history of the commitment in our explainer from foreign news reporter Michael Drummond - just click below. Trump and Zelenskyy meet on sidelines of summit Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have met on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. We'll bring you more details on this as we get them. Putin 'must stop dragging his heels', Starmer says - as he's asked whether Trump will get tough on Russia Asked about Donald Trump's comments about the situation in Ukraine being "totally out of control", Sir Keir Starmer calls on Vladimir Putin to "stop dragging his heels and get to the [negotiating] table". Replying to a question on whether Trump will get tougher on Russia, the prime minister says the mood of all NATO members was one of "positivity and resolve and purpose" in "the strength and unity of NATO". "But at the same time, recognising that, we need to now push harder on Ukraine," he adds. "Certainly my position has been for some considerable time now that Putin must stop dragging his heels and get to the table." He says all of the discussions at the NATO summit "have been urging that outcome". 'It's important I lead from the front,' PM says The prime minister is now asked about the massive pledges he is making ad questioned on whether he thinks he will be around to lead these plans into the next parliament. "Very confident," Starmer says. He says "it is really important I lead from the front" and "take the long term decisions". "We are living in a more volatile world and we have to rise to that challenge," he says. NATO position on Ukraine has not changed despite lack of condemnation of Russia, Starmer says NATO's position on Ukraine has not changed, Sir Keir Starmer has said, despite there being no condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the alliance's joint communique today. Asked by Sky News's political editor Beth Rigby whether he was disappointed the statement had less of a focus on Ukraine than previous statements, the prime minister said his position had not changed. "In fact, over the last couple of days, I would say my discussions with leaders - there's been a real resolve," he said. He said "now is the time to push again to get Putin to the table for the unconditional ceasefire". He added: "President Zelenskyy has, for many weeks now, indicated his willingness to go for an unconditional ceasefire. "Now is the time for Putin, who has been dragging his heels, to come to the table." Starmer: Europe needs to make a fundamental shift in its posture Sir Keir Starmer is now addressing world leaders at The Hague and begins by addressing the ceasefire between Iran and Israel. He says now leaders need to make sure "the ceasefire holds" and get Iran back around the negotiating table with the US. The prime minister says he is in close contact with leaders in the Middle East and is working "to lower the temperature" in the region. He says focus should also not be lost on Ukraine or the rising threats to Europe-Atlantic security. He says Europe "needs to make a fundamental shift in its posture". Starmer says the UK will spend 5% of GDP on defence and security by 2035. Rutte celebrates 'significant commitment' in response to 'threats to our security' We're now hearing from NATO secretary general Mark Rutte, who is praising alliance members for agreeing to invest 5% of their GDP in defence and security spending. "This is a significant commitment in response to significant threats to our security," he says. This is "all to ensure we can effectively deter aggression and defend ourselves and each other should anyone make the mistake of attacking." He adds: "All allies are united in understanding that we need to step up to stay safe and they are acting on it. "President Trump has been clear, America is committed to NATO. He affirmed that again today in no uncertain terms. At the same time, he made clear America expects European allies to commit more, and that is what we see them doing." He says the allies are "in this together, committed to Article 5, and we are determined to stand firm". Ukraine 'has our continued support' The alliance "stands firmly with our neighbour and partner Ukraine," he adds, saying the alliance's resounding message to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people "is that Ukraine has our continued support". He adds: "Our aim is to keep Ukraine in the fight today so that it can enjoy a lasting peace in the future." Intel leak 'unfair to US pilots', Trump says Donald Trump is speaking briefly to reporters with the Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Addressing the leaked US intel, reported on by American media outlets, he says it is "unfair to the pilots" who "flew into a hornet's nest". The reports suggested that, contrary to Trump's claims, the US bombing raids he ordered on Iran's nuclear sites did not "obliterate" the Iranian facilities or the regime's ability to make a nuclear weapon. But Trump says the pilots did an "unbelievable job". "They should be admired and respected for what they did," he adds. He also repeats his claims that the sites were destroyed - opting for the word "demolished" this time. Trump is expected to speak again in a news conference shortly, after his brief remarks alongside Schoof.
Western Telegraph
42 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Nato leaders agree to hike military spending after pressure from Trump
The 32 leaders endorsed a final summit statement saying: 'Allies commit to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence- and security-related spending by 2035 to ensure our individual and collective obligations.' Spain had already officially announced that it cannot meet the target, and others have voiced reservations, but the investment pledge includes a review of spending in 2029 to monitor progress and reassess the security threat posed by Russia. Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, front row from fifth left, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose with Nato country leaders for a family photo during the Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands (Ben Stansall/Pool Photo via AP) The leaders also underlined their 'ironclad commitment' to Nato's collective security guarantee – 'that an attack on one is an attack on all'. Ahead of the summit, Mr Trump had again raised doubts over whether the United States would defend its allies. The show of unity vindicated Nato secretary general Mark Rutte's billing of the summit as 'transformational', even though it papered over divisions. The spending pledge sets European allies and Canada on a steep path towards significant military investment. The spending hike requires each country to spend billions of dollars. It comes as the United States – Nato's biggest-spending member – shifts its attention away from Europe to focus on security priorities elsewhere, notably in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. But ahead of the meeting, Spain announced that it would not be able to reach the target by the new 2035 deadline, calling it 'unreasonable'. Belgium signalled that it would not get there either, and Slovakia said it reserves the right to decide its own defence spending. US President Donald Trump, left, and US secretary of state Marco Rubio in The Hague, Netherlands (Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP) Many European countries face major economic challenges, and Mr Trump's global tariff war could make it even harder for America's allies to reach their targets. Some countries are already squeezing welfare and foreign aid spending to channel extra funds into their military budgets. On Tuesday, Mr Trump complained that 'there's a problem with Spain. Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly'. He has also criticised Canada as 'a low payer'. In 2018, a Nato summit during Mr Trump's first term unravelled due to a dispute over defence spending. But Mr Rutte conceded that 'these are difficult decisions. Let's be honest. I mean, politicians have to make choices in scarcity. And this is not easy'. But he said: 'given the threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative'. 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Last year, 22 countries were expected to hit that target, up from just three a decade ago. French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at the Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) In The Hague, the allies endorsed a major revamp of their spending targets. They upped the ante for what Nato calls 'core defence spending' to 3.5%, while changing how it is counted to include providing military support to Ukraine. To hit Mr Trump's 5% demand, the deal set a second target of 1.5% of GDP for a broader range of defence-related spending, such as improving roads, bridges, ports and airfields so that armies can deploy more quickly, countering cyber and hybrid attack measures, or preparing societies to deal with future conflicts. Progress will be reviewed in 2029, after the next US presidential election. 'This declaration is historic. We are 32 allies supporting that ambition, which is huge,' said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. 'We have been struggling to get above 2% and now we said 3.5%, which is necessary in order to reach our capabilities.' Earlier this month, Nato agreed individual purchasing targets for nations to stock up on weapons and military equipment to better defend Europe, the Arctic and the North Atlantic, as part of the US push to ramp up security spending. 📸 Leaders gather for a family photo at the #NATOsummit in The Hague 🇳🇱 — NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) June 25, 2025 Extra funds will also be needed should the Trump administration announce a draw-down of forces in Europe, where around 84,000 US troops are based, leaving European allies to plug any security gaps. The Pentagon is expected to announce its intentions in coming months. Beyond Mr Trump's demands, European allies and Canada have steeply ramped up defence spending out of concern about the threat posed by Russia. Several countries are concerned that Russia could carry out an attack on Nato territory by the end of the decade. Hungary is not one of them, though. 'I think Russia is not strong enough to represent a real threat to us. We are far stronger,' said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, fielding questions from reporters, leaning back with his hands thrust into his pockets. Mr Orban is considered Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally in Europe.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Nato leaders agree to hike military spending after pressure from Trump
Spain had already officially announced that it cannot meet the target, and others have voiced reservations, but the investment pledge includes a review of spending in 2029 to monitor progress and reassess the security threat posed by Russia. Netherlands Prime Minister Dick Schoof, front row from fifth left, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose with Nato country leaders for a family photo during the Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands (Ben Stansall/Pool Photo via AP) The leaders also underlined their 'ironclad commitment' to Nato's collective security guarantee – 'that an attack on one is an attack on all'. Ahead of the summit, Mr Trump had again raised doubts over whether the United States would defend its allies. The show of unity vindicated Nato secretary general Mark Rutte's billing of the summit as 'transformational', even though it papered over divisions. The spending pledge sets European allies and Canada on a steep path towards significant military investment. The spending hike requires each country to spend billions of dollars. It comes as the United States – Nato's biggest-spending member – shifts its attention away from Europe to focus on security priorities elsewhere, notably in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. But ahead of the meeting, Spain announced that it would not be able to reach the target by the new 2035 deadline, calling it 'unreasonable'. Belgium signalled that it would not get there either, and Slovakia said it reserves the right to decide its own defence spending. US President Donald Trump, left, and US secretary of state Marco Rubio in The Hague, Netherlands (Brendan Smialowski/Pool Photo via AP) Many European countries face major economic challenges, and Mr Trump's global tariff war could make it even harder for America's allies to reach their targets. Some countries are already squeezing welfare and foreign aid spending to channel extra funds into their military budgets. On Tuesday, Mr Trump complained that 'there's a problem with Spain. Spain is not agreeing, which is very unfair to the rest of them, frankly'. He has also criticised Canada as 'a low payer'. In 2018, a Nato summit during Mr Trump's first term unravelled due to a dispute over defence spending. But Mr Rutte conceded that 'these are difficult decisions. Let's be honest. I mean, politicians have to make choices in scarcity. And this is not easy'. But he said: 'given the threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative'. Other countries closer to the borders of Russia and Ukraine – Poland, the three Baltic states and Nordic countries – have committed to the goal, as have Nato's European heavyweights Britain, France, Germany and the Netherlands. 'This is a big win, I think, for both President Trump and I think it's also a big win for Europe,' Finnish President Alexander Stubb told reporters. 'We're witnessing the birth of a new Nato, which means a more balanced Nato.' He said it would take nations 'back to the defence expenditure levels of the Cold War'. Nato countries started to cut their military budgets in safer times after the Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989. In a fresh take on Mr Trump's Maga movement, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said: 'We should choose a motto, 'make Nato great again'.' After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Nato allies agreed to make 2% of GDP the minimum spending level. Last year, 22 countries were expected to hit that target, up from just three a decade ago. French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at the Nato summit in The Hague, Netherlands (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) In The Hague, the allies endorsed a major revamp of their spending targets. They upped the ante for what Nato calls 'core defence spending' to 3.5%, while changing how it is counted to include providing military support to Ukraine. To hit Mr Trump's 5% demand, the deal set a second target of 1.5% of GDP for a broader range of defence-related spending, such as improving roads, bridges, ports and airfields so that armies can deploy more quickly, countering cyber and hybrid attack measures, or preparing societies to deal with future conflicts. Progress will be reviewed in 2029, after the next US presidential election. 'This declaration is historic. We are 32 allies supporting that ambition, which is huge,' said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. 'We have been struggling to get above 2% and now we said 3.5%, which is necessary in order to reach our capabilities.' Earlier this month, Nato agreed individual purchasing targets for nations to stock up on weapons and military equipment to better defend Europe, the Arctic and the North Atlantic, as part of the US push to ramp up security spending. 📸 Leaders gather for a family photo at the #NATOsummit in The Hague 🇳🇱 — NATO Spokesperson (@NATOpress) June 25, 2025 Extra funds will also be needed should the Trump administration announce a draw-down of forces in Europe, where around 84,000 US troops are based, leaving European allies to plug any security gaps. The Pentagon is expected to announce its intentions in coming months. Beyond Mr Trump's demands, European allies and Canada have steeply ramped up defence spending out of concern about the threat posed by Russia. Several countries are concerned that Russia could carry out an attack on Nato territory by the end of the decade. Hungary is not one of them, though. 'I think Russia is not strong enough to represent a real threat to us. We are far stronger,' said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, fielding questions from reporters, leaning back with his hands thrust into his pockets. Mr Orban is considered Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest ally in Europe.
