Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization convened in The Hague, Netherlands, this week to address security threats and enhance relationships among NATO countries. Discussions continued regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran and the United States’ involvement.
NATO Summit
Described as transformational, the largest outcome was a collective increase in defense spending, encouraged by President Donald Trump. However, NATO allies agreed to commit 5% of their total annual Gross Domestic Product toward defense. Notably, Spain was the only ally to refuse the agreement. The new proposed budgets allow for NATO countries to send more supplies and weaponry to Ukraine. President Trump claims the evolved defense spending proposition is a “big win” for Western civilization and left the summit pleased.
Israel-Iran Conflict & US Involvement
After the U.S. sent airstrikes to three nuclear sites in Iran on June 21, Iran retaliated by striking a U.S. air base in Qatar. After another exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, President Trump declared a ceasefire at midnight on June 24. Only a few hours after this announcement, Israel accused Iran of breaking the truce. Iran denied those allegations. President Trump expressed frustration towards both countries and emphasized the ceasefire that is currently in effect.
Following Trump’s declaration, the ceasefire has remained in effect. U.S. intelligence suggested that the strikes in Iran only set its nuclear program back by a few months. However, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insist the sites are completely destroyed, and the operation was a “resounding success.”
The most recent update issued on the morning of June 26 is a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In his speech, he claimed victory after the 12-day war and denied the statement of the nuclear program’s complete obliteration. Khamenei also pledged retaliation for future strikes.
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