logo
U.S. strikes against Iran nuclear facilities 'incredible and overwhelming success,' Pentagon chief says

U.S. strikes against Iran nuclear facilities 'incredible and overwhelming success,' Pentagon chief says

The Star22-06-2025
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth holds a briefing at the Pentagon, after the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities, during the Israel-Iran conflict, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., June 22, 2025 in this still image taken from handout video. Reuters TV/U.S. Department of Defense/Handout via REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump revives India-Pakistan conflict claims over jet losses
Trump revives India-Pakistan conflict claims over jet losses

The Star

time3 hours ago

  • The Star

Trump revives India-Pakistan conflict claims over jet losses

US President Donald Trump said up to five jets were shot down during recent India-Pakistan hostilities that began after an April attack in India-administered Kashmir, with the situation calming after a ceasefire in May. Trump, who made his remarks at a Friday dinner with some Republican US lawmakers at the White House, did not specify which side's jets he was referring to. 'In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,' Trump said while talking about the India-Pakistan hostilities, without elaborating or providing further detail. Pakistan claimed it downed five Indian planes in air-to-air combat. India's highest-ranking general said in late May that India switched tactics after suffering losses in the air on the first day of hostilities and established an advantage before a ceasefire was announced three days later. India also claimed it downed 'a few planes' of Pakistan. Islamabad denied suffering any losses of planes but acknowledged its air bases suffered hits. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for the ceasefire that he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India has differed with Trump's claims that it resulted from his intervention and his threats to sever trade talks. India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement. India is an increasingly important US partner in Washington's effort to counter China's influence in Asia, while Pakistan is a US ally. The April attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbours in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. New Delhi blamed the attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not directly blame Islamabad. — Reuters

Trump insists Iran nuclear sites were 'completely destroyed'
Trump insists Iran nuclear sites were 'completely destroyed'

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Trump insists Iran nuclear sites were 'completely destroyed'

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Saturday insisted that US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities "completely destroyed" the sites after a report said that some had largely survived. On his Truth Social platform, Trump reiterated his frequent claim that "all three nuclear sites in Iran were completely destroyed and/or OBLITERATED." He said it would "take years to bring them back into service and, if Iran wanted to do so, they would be much better off starting anew, in three different locations." US bomb and missile attacks struck Iran's controversial nuclear programme on June 22, hitting the uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, south of Tehran, as well as nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz. The bombings, carried out at the same time as an Israeli campaign against Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, were billed by Washington as a knockout blow to a years-long covert effort to build nuclear weapons. Iran insists it has not tried to weaponize its civilian nuclear power programme. Despite Trump's claims of total success, several US media outlets have reported leaked intelligence suggesting a hazier picture. The latest to cast doubt was an NBC News report Friday, quoting a military damage assessment that only one of the three sites was mostly destroyed. Two other sites were deemed to be repairable and potentially able to resume uranium enrichment activities within "the next several months," NBC reported, citing five current and former US officials aware of the assessment. NBC also reported that the Pentagon had prepared an option to inflict far greater damage on Iran's facilities through a bombing campaign that would have lasted several weeks – not the one-night operation chosen by Trump. According to the report, citing one current and one former official, Trump rejected the more comprehensive attack plan due to fears of casualties and entanglement in the conflict - AFP

Unfinished US water projects leave global communities at risk
Unfinished US water projects leave global communities at risk

The Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Sun

Unfinished US water projects leave global communities at risk

TAVETA: The abrupt termination of U.S. foreign aid has left critical water and sanitation projects incomplete across 16 countries, endangering millions who relied on them for clean water and flood protection. Reuters uncovered 21 abandoned initiatives, with workers forced to leave behind half-dug canals, unsecured materials, and unfinished infrastructure. In Mali, water towers meant for schools and clinics stand deserted. Nepal halted over 100 drinking water systems, leaving communities with unused cement and pipes. Lebanon's solar-powered water utility project was scrapped, forcing reliance on costly diesel. Kenya's Taita Taveta County faces heightened flood risks as incomplete irrigation canals threaten farms. Mary Kibachia, a 74-year-old farmer, said, 'I have no protection from the flooding that the canal will now cause, the floods will definitely get worse.' The Trump administration defended the cuts, arguing funds should prioritize Americans. However, bipartisan support previously backed these projects, including a 2014 law that doubled water infrastructure funding. Experts warn the cuts could reverse decades of progress, increasing disease, school dropouts, and extremist recruitment. John Oldfield, a water infrastructure advocate, said, 'Do we want girls carrying water on their heads for their families? Or do you want them carrying school books?' The U.S. State Department, now overseeing aid, has not commented on the halted projects. While Jordan's desalination plant funding was restored, programs in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Congo remain stalled. In eastern Congo, defunct water kiosks have become playgrounds. Evelyne Mbaswa, a mother of nine, lost her son while fetching water—a perilous task in conflict zones. 'When we send young girls, they are raped, young boys are kidnapped.... All this is because of the lack of water,' she said. Kenya's $100 million USAID project was only 15% complete when halted, leaving hazardous trenches and $100,000 in materials exposed. A U.S. embassy memo warned unfinished work could damage America's reputation and fuel extremism. In Taita Taveta, incomplete canal walls risk collapse during rains. Community leader Juma Kubo said, 'Without plaster, the walls will collapse in heavy rain, and the flow of water will lead to the destruction of farms.' Locals now seek $526,000 to salvage the project. For Kibachia, delays are dire. After her home flooded, she said, 'Where can I go? This is home.' - Reuters

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store