Post-ceasefire developments escalate scrutiny on Iran’s nuclear future as international diplomacy, domestic repression, and cyber retaliation intensify.
Updated: 22:00 PM CEST
Key Political & Military Developments
1. US Defense Department to Brief Public on Iran Strikes
President Donald Trump announced that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will deliver a major press conference today to address ongoing questions over the scale and success of the US airstrikes on Iran regime’s nuclear facilities. The administration seeks to defend its narrative of “total destruction” as independent assessments continue to cast doubt.
2. White House Reacts to Leaked Intelligence Report
More than 24 hours after the leak of a classified assessment suggesting only partial damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the White House maintains its stance on the “historic success” of the strike. An internal Pentagon investigation is underway, alongside a separate FBI probe into the leak. The CIA, meanwhile, reiterated that based on credible sources, significant damage occurred. Reports also suggest the White House may limit congressional access to classified materials, sparking bipartisan pushback.
3. CIA and Israeli Intelligence Support Claims of Damage
CIA Director John Ratcliffe reaffirmed that intelligence sources confirm the destruction of several Iranian nuclear facilities. Similarly, Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that Israeli special forces operated inside Iranian territory during the strikes, conducting covert missions that helped secure air dominance.
4. Iranian Minister Travels Abroad Amid Internal Military Criticism
Iran regime’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh traveled to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s defense summit. The trip, just two days after the ceasefire, is interpreted as a sign of regime confidence in the truce. However, questions continue to mount inside Iran regarding the regime’s failure to repel Israeli strikes.
5. Wave of Arrests and Internal Crackdowns Continue
The Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reported the arrest of 26 individuals in Khuzestan province on charges of collaborating with Israel. In total, regime sources claim over 700 people have been detained across 12 days of conflict. The HRANA human rights network estimates at least 823 arrests on political or security-related charges, including 286 people targeted for online posts and 537 accused of espionage or filming military sites.
6. UN Special Rapporteur Voices Concern for Political Prisoners
Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, expressed deep concern over the treatment of political prisoners in Evin Prison after Israeli strikes on Tehran. Reports indicate that several detainees, including student activist Ali Younesi, were forcibly transferred with no contact allowed with their families.
7. Israel Reveals Khamenei Was a Target
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel intended to assassinate Iran regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during its military campaign but the operational opportunity never materialized. This is the first public acknowledgment of such an intention by the Israeli government.
Nuclear Program & Diplomatic Tensions
8. Macron, NATO, and the IAEA Urge Iran to Resume Inspections
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Iran to restore IAEA inspections and emphasized the agency’s central role in nuclear oversight. IAEA Director Rafael Grossi also reiterated the agency’s readiness to return to Iranian nuclear sites, stating that more than 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium remain unaccounted for.
9. Iranian Ministry of Health Confirms Casualty Figures
Iran’s Ministry of Health released updated statistics from the war: 627 killed and 4,870 injured. Most casualties were in Tehran and Kermanshah provinces. Independent groups estimate the real death toll may exceed 900.
10. Cyber Warfare Escalates Post-Strikes
Cyberattacks attributed to regime-aligned hackers targeted US military contractors, banks, and oil companies. Though no major disruptions have been confirmed, experts warn of escalation if the ceasefire breaks down.
11. US Reaffirms Red Lines Ahead of Nuclear Talks
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff stated that uranium enrichment and weaponization remain red lines for Washington. Talks are expected to focus on a future peaceful nuclear program without enrichment. Witkoff added there is growing optimism that Tehran is open to a comprehensive agreement.
12. EU Leaders Call for Lasting Diplomatic Solution
In a statement issued Thursday evening, the European Union welcomed the Iran–Israel ceasefire and emphasized that a lasting resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue must be achieved through negotiations. The EU called on all parties to demonstrate restraint and return to diplomacy.
13. International Nuclear Experts Confirm Major Setbacks
Multiple expert bodies have issued statements strongly reinforcing the extent of the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear program:
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David Albright, President of the Institute for Science and International Security, stated Iran “can’t make centrifuges and can’t produce the equivalent of the gas,” adding that the enrichment program has been “effectively destroyed” and will take “a long time” to recover.
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Spencer Faragasso, senior fellow at the same institute, said it could take years for Iran to reconstitute its lost capabilities.
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Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, said “very significant damage” was expected at Esfahan, Natanz, and Fordow. He confirmed that cruise missiles and bunker-buster bombs were used and noted hits to buildings associated with uranium conversion, tunnel entrances, and the Fuel Enrichment Plant.
14. White House: No Uranium Removed Before US Strikes
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there is no indication Iran moved any enriched uranium before the US-Israeli strikes. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that more than a dozen 30,000-pound bunker-busters were used against Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. He also said there’s no intelligence indicating that Iran successfully shielded enriched uranium ahead of the attacks.
15. Iran’s Parliament Suspends Cooperation with the IAEA
Iran’s regime parliament passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Guardian Council approved the decision on Thursday, making it legally binding. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the IAEA of having lost credibility by failing to condemn the US strikes. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged Iran to continue cooperating with the agency, emphasizing its importance for international oversight.
16. White House Rejects Khamenei’s Posture
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described recent public remarks by Iran regime’s Supreme Leader as face-saving efforts. She reiterated that the precision US strikes were “wildly successful” and directly contributed to securing the ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The administration remains firm in its messaging amid conflicting intelligence leaks and international skepticism.
Geopolitical Responses
17. Markets React to Ceasefire
Oil prices climbed slightly for a second consecutive day, driven by regional instability. Investors remain cautious ahead of US-Iran nuclear talks planned for next week. Stock markets mostly declined across Asia and Europe.
18. France & NATO Reinforce Nonproliferation Demands
At the NATO summit in The Hague, French President Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reinforced demands for Iran to uphold its international obligations and allow IAEA access. Macron criticized Iran’s previous refusal to cooperate and highlighted the agency’s report about Iran possessing uranium sufficient for nine nuclear bombs.
Geopolitical & Legal Repercussions
19. Argentina to Try Iranian and Hezbollah Suspects in 1994 AMIA Bombing
Argentina’s judiciary announced that it will hold trials in absentia for 10 Iranian and Lebanese nationals accused of orchestrating the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 and wounded 150. The Iranian regime has denied involvement, but in 2023, an Argentine court officially declared Iran a state sponsor of terrorism and held Hezbollah responsible for the bombing. This will be the country’s first such trial since the law changed in March 2024.
