Iran-Israel Ceasefire Holds Amid Lingering Questions Over Tehran’s Nuclear Program

The ceasefire between Iran and Israel held Wednesday, with both sides claiming victory, despite questions over the impact of Israeli and American airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear program, even as Iranian officials now pledge to accelerate it, CBS News reported. 

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, say the operation to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites was a “historic victory,” claiming it had set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back “many years.” US President Donald Trump echoed those remarks, saying Iran’s program was pushed back “basically decades.” 

On Wednesday, US intelligence officials said there was “credible intelligence” that Iran’s program was “severely damaged,” according to the BBC. The statement came a day after classified US military intelligence reportedly showed a more modest impact, estimating the delay to Iran’s nuclear program to be only by “months,” CNN noted. 

Meanwhile, Iranian officials admitted Wednesday that the nuclear sites were “badly damaged” by the strikes. 

Fighting broke out on June 13 after Israel attacked Iran. Since then, the two had exchanged drone and missile strikes until Monday, attacks that have left 28 people dead in Israel and hundreds in Iran, including senior military officials.  

The United States also intervened, striking three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. 

The fighting came to a halt after the Trump administration brokered a ceasefire, with Trump later enforcing the deal personally after both countries breached it soon after it took effect Monday. 

Both Israel and Iran were quick to claim victory afterward.  

Iran has tried to present its limited retaliatory attack on Monday targeting the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to thousands of US forces personnel, as a victory, despite none of the missiles hitting their target.  

Meanwhile, Iranian officials said that the country intends not only to resume but accelerate its nuclear program – now without any oversight by the United Nations’ atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

On Wednesday, Iran’s parliament passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, a move analysts said could speed up Tehran’s nuclear development. 

The proposed law would block inspections and halt data sharing with the IAEA.  

Under the draft, future site visits would require approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Reuters added. 

The legislation followed a rare censure of Iran by the IAEA earlier this month for failing to cooperate with inspectors – the agency’s first such move against Tehran in 20 years.  

Iran said the agency’s resolution helped pave the way for Israel’s June 13 strikes and insisted its nuclear program remains peaceful.