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.
6 weapons dropped on Fordow went 'exactly where they were intended to go,' Caine says
Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said after the first bomb struck the target, "the pilots stated, quote, 'this was the brightest explosion that I've ever seen. It literally looked like daylight.'"
"Unlike a normal surface bomb, you won't see an impact crater, because they're designed to deeply bury and then function ... All six weapons at each vent at Fordow went exactly where they were intended to go," Caine said.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon, June 26, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
Jun 26, 2025, 9:08 AM EDT
Hegseth says media is 'undermining the success' of military operation in Iran
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. secretary of defense, said at a press conference Thursday the media is "undermining the success" of Operation Midnight Hammer in Iran.
"There are so many aspects of what our brave men and women did and, because of the hatred of this press corps, are undermined because your people are trying to leak and spin that it wasn't successful. It's irresponsible," Hegseth said as he addressed the media at the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon, June 26, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
"It's an important responsibility and, time and time again, classified information is leaked or peddled for political purposes to try to make the president look bad," Hegseth continued. "What's really happening is you're undermining the success of incredible B-2 pilots and incredible F-35 pilots and incredible refuels and incredible air defenders who accomplish their mission and set back a nuclear program in ways that other presidents would have dreamed. How about we celebrate that?"
Jun 26, 2025, 8:24 AM EDT
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."
