President Donald Trump told ABC News on Tuesday morning he is "not happy" with either Israel or Iran after the opening hours of a nascent ceasefire between the two combatants were marred by reported exchanges. Trump said Iran and Israel both "violated" the ceasefire that he announced late on Monday.
Through last week, the president and his administration continued to push back on an early intelligence report suggesting that the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities may have only set Tehran's nuclear program back by months.
Hegseth says bombing of Iran is most 'complex and secretive military operation in history'
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a press conference on Thursday morning that the bombing of Iran was a "resounding success" and that the 30-hour bombing campaign was the most "complex and secretive military operation in history."
"Because of decisive military action, President Trump created the conditions to end the war," Hegseth said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on June 26, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
ABC News
"President Trump directed the most complex and secretive military operation in history and it was a resounding success resulting in a cease fire agreement and the end of the 12-day war," he continued.
Jun 26, 2025, 7:37 AM EDT
Ayatollah Khamenei says Iran has delivered a 'harsh blow' to US in 1st comments since bombing
Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei delivered a televised address on Thursday morning, just days after the United States targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities in a 30-hour bombing campaign, with the leader saying Iran has "delivered a harsh blow to America."
Saturday's operation, named "Operation Midnight Hammer," marked the U.S. military's largest-ever deployment of B-2 stealth bombers and first use of 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs in combat, Pentagon officials said. The 30-hour precision strike targeted three Iranian nuclear facilities, making it the longest B-2 mission since 2001, according to officials.
Ayatollah Khamenei struck a defiant tone on Thursday as he congratulated Iran for "its victory over the American regime."
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised message, after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 26, 2025.
Office Of The Iranian Supreme Leader via Reuters
"The Islamic Republic also triumphed here and delivered a harsh blow to America. My second congratulations go to our dear Iran for its victory over the American regime," Khamenei said. "The US entered direct war because it felt that if it didn't, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. Yet, it gained nothing from this war. Here too, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious and delivered a harsh slap to America's face."
"A nation of around 90 million stood united, with one voice, shoulder to shoulder, supporting the armed forces," he continued. "The Iranian people demonstrated their exceptional character and showed that, when needed, a single voice will rise from this nation."
Jun 25, 2025, 7:14 PM EDT
Trump calls Netanyahu's corruption trial a 'witch hunt,' urges pardon
In a lengthy social media post Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump expressed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently on trial in his country for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in multiple cases.
Coming to the prime minister's defense, Trump called him a "warrior" and used similar terminology that he used in his legal battles, calling Netanyahu's corruption trial a "witch hunt" and a "horror show."
In this April 7, 2025, file photo, President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
The post comes as Trump celebrates victory in the ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
"Netanyahu's trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero, who has done so much for the State," Trump wrote in the Truth Social post. "Perhaps there is no one that I know who could have worked in better harmony with the President of the United States, ME, than Bibi Netanyahu. It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu."
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
Jun 25, 2025, 4:43 PM EDT
Credible intelligence confirms Iran's nuclear program 'severely damaged,' CIA says
Iran’s nuclear program "has been severely damaged," according to the CIA, which said it has "new intelligence from an historically reliable and accurate source."
"Several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years," the agency said.
The CIA said it is continuing to collect additional information.
