US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will begin diplomatic talks with Iran following a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. Speaking at the NATO summit in The Hague, he said discussions may begin as early as next week, possibly leading to an agreement. However, he stated that a formal deal might not be necessary, adding that Iran appears to have no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.
Reflecting on the end of the 12-day conflict between the two nations, Trump said, “We think it’s over,” suggesting both sides are “tired and exhausted” from the intense fighting. He described the outcome as mutual satisfaction to cease hostilities, though he acknowledged future tensions could still arise.
Trump also commented on the recent Iranian missile strike on a US base in Qatar, stating that all 14 missiles were intercepted. He noted that Iran had given advance warning, joking that they even asked if the timing of the attack was acceptable, allowing the base to be evacuated in time.
Praise for Field Marshal Asim Munir
During the summit, Trump praised Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him a remarkable and inspiring figure, mentioning a recent meeting at Munir’s office. He also claimed that the US played a role in ending tensions between India and Pakistan, urging both nations to focus more on trade than conflict.
Talks with Ukraine and Position on Russia
Trump said he is considering sending additional Patriot missile systems to Ukraine after a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While no ceasefire was discussed during the meeting, Trump expressed intent to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, stating that “Putin really has to end that war.”
Zelenskyy described the meeting as long and meaningful, sharing that they discussed efforts to achieve a ceasefire and long-term peace, as well as Ukraine’s request for advanced missile defense systems.
Trade Pressure on Spain Over NATO Spending
Trump threatened to impose trade penalties on Spain for resisting NATO’s proposed defense spending increase to 5% of GDP. He criticized Spain for expecting a “free ride” and vowed to recover costs through trade measures.
NATO Summit Outcomes and Iran Strikes
Highlighting the achievements of the NATO summit, Trump emphasized the agreement to boost defense spending among allies as a major win. He said it would reduce the US’s financial burden and strengthen European military capabilities, which could help prevent future conflicts like the one in Ukraine.
He also compared recent US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities to the end of World War II, likening them to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Though intelligence assessments suggest the strikes only set Iran’s program back by a few months, Trump insisted the damage was severe and decisive.
Trump defended the operation’s effectiveness, saying it would discourage Iran from further pursuing nuclear capabilities, suggesting their efforts had been delayed “basically decades.”
Administration Response to Intelligence Reports
Flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Trump dismissed media interpretations of the intelligence findings as misleading. Hegseth noted the preliminary nature of the intelligence and suggested political motives behind its leak, while Rubio criticized how the report was characterized.
Trump concluded the summit by reaffirming the goal of raising NATO defense spending, positioning the US’s foreign policy moves as firm but focused on preventing further global conflicts.
