Trump compares strikes on Iran to Hiroshima

On June 25, 2025, at a NATO summit, US President Donald Trump made a controversial comparison between the recent US military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. He asserted that the strikes effectively ended the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, claiming that without them, fighting would still be occurring. Trump emphasized the success of the strikes, stating they severely damaged Iran's nuclear program and claimed they had set it back by decades. Despite Trump's assertions, a preliminary intelligence assessment leaked shortly after the strikes suggested that they did not achieve their intended goal of fully destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities. Nevertheless, Iranian officials admitted that their nuclear sites had suffered significant damage. Reports indicated that Tehran's nuclear program was now at risk while also raising concerns over Iranian retaliation against the US and its allies. In the context of heightened tensions, Iran's government has publicly declared its intention to halt cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), indicating a fast-tracked proposal that would effectively end inspections related to its nuclear program. This escalation is part of a larger narrative as the region grapples with fallout from the limited airstrikes, which had already resulted in significant casualties in previous weeks, emphasizing the relentless cycle of conflict and retaliation present between Iran, Israel, and the US. In response to the strikes, Trump has also expressed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding the dismissal of corruption charges against the leader. This support comes in the wake of what is framed as a critical historical moment for Israel, and Trump's rhetoric suggests he views these military actions as pivotal in shaping regional politics, further complicating diplomatic relations in a landscape already fraught with tension.