Trump: US to begin nuclear talks with Iran next week following ‘obliterating’ strikes

ISTANBUL, June 26 — US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that nuclear talks with Iran are likely to begin next week, and he expects to seek a commitment from Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions — crediting recent US airstrikes for ending the war with Iran.

Trump claimed the use of powerful bunker-busting bombs in Sunday’s strikes had severely crippled Iran’s nuclear programme, calling the outcome “a victory for everybody.”

“It was very severe. It was obliteration,” Trump said, dismissing an initial US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report that estimated Iran’s nuclear progress may have only been delayed by several months.

The ceasefire, which began Tuesday, ended 12 days of the most intense conflict ever between Iran and Israel. Both nations have since tried to return to normal life amid lingering tension and destruction.

Speaking at a NATO summit in The Hague, Trump said he no longer believes Iran will pursue nuclear weapons — a claim Iran has long denied.

“We’re going to talk to them next week. Maybe we’ll sign an agreement, maybe not. Honestly, I don’t think it’s even necessary,” he said. “Right now, the last thing they want is to enrich anything. They’re focused on recovery.”

Later that day, CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated the strikes had “severely damaged” Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, although he stopped short of declaring it completely destroyed. He said there was “credible evidence” that multiple key facilities were demolished and could take years to rebuild.

Israel’s nuclear agency shared a more optimistic assessment, suggesting the strikes had set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by many years. The White House circulated this view, though Trump noted he was not basing his decisions on Israeli intelligence.

Trump said he was confident Iran would pursue diplomacy moving forward but offered no specifics about the upcoming talks, such as the location or participants.

“If they try to rebuild, we won’t allow it — militarily, if needed,” he said, expressing hope for a future relationship with Iran to resolve the nuclear issue.

Meanwhile, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, warned against short-term thinking. He said the focus should not be on how many months it would take Iran to rebuild, but on securing a long-term solution.

“The technological know-how and industrial capacity are still there. That cannot be erased,” he said. His priority, he added, was restoring international inspections to assess the current state of Iran’s facilities.

Iran hints at change amid devastation

Israel’s bombing campaign, which began with a surprise strike on June 13, targeted Iran’s top military leadership and leading nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles that, for the first time, penetrated Israeli missile defences.

Iran reported 627 deaths and nearly 5,000 injuries, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear due to media restrictions. Israel reported 28 fatalities.

While Israel said it achieved its goals of destroying key Iranian military and nuclear targets, Iran claimed its successful missile strikes forced an end to the war.

The conflict dealt a major blow to Iran’s leadership, especially as the country prepares for a future without Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, now 86 and in power for 36 years.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, a moderate elected last year, said the war presented an opportunity for reform.

“This war, and the unity it created between the people and officials, is a chance to change the government’s outlook and behaviour to foster national cohesion,” he said in a statement via state media.

Still, Iranian authorities quickly moved to reassert control. On Wednesday, the judiciary announced the execution of three men convicted of collaborating with Israel’s Mossad and smuggling assassination-related equipment. State-linked Nournews reported that 700 individuals were arrested during the conflict over alleged ties to Israel.

During the war, both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump hinted at regime change in Iran. But after the ceasefire, Trump stated he no longer supported that idea, warning it could cause chaos when stability is most needed.

A fragile calm

In both Iran and Israel, civilians expressed relief — tempered with unease.

“We returned after the ceasefire. People are glad the fighting stopped, but there’s a lot of uncertainty about what’s next,” said Farah, 67, who had fled to Lavasan from Tehran during the bombing.

In Tel Aviv, Rony Hoter-Ishay Meyer, 38, shared mixed feelings: gratitude that schools could reopen, but emotional exhaustion from the recent turmoil.

“These past two weeks were catastrophic in Israel. We’re completely drained and just want to return to normal life,” she said. — Reuters