President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Iran “had been trying to enrich” uranium for nuclear weapons but found it “hard,” and that US strikes on its nuclear sites ultimately ended these efforts and the 12-day Iran-Israel war. He controversially compared the impact of these strikes to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Trump stated that Iran “went through hell” during the conflict, implying this experience would deter any future attempts at uranium enrichment for military purposes. He dismissed intelligence reports that suggested a limited impact of the strikes, maintaining that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “completely destroyed.”
The conflict originated with Israeli bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities, citing concerns about their nuclear program. Iran maintained its nuclear activities were peaceful. The 12 days of hostilities led to significant damage and loss of life.
A ceasefire, reportedly brokered by Trump, was holding. Trump’s comments offer a characteristically blunt assessment of Iran’s challenges in its nuclear program.
