Iran has today admitted its nuclear facilities were ‘badly damaged’ by US bombs after Donald Trump insisted they were ‘obliterated’ and lashed out at ‘fake’ news coverage suggesting he failed to deliver a knock-out blow.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei conceded there had been significant impact caused by American bunker-busting bombs at the country’s three main nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

It comes after Trump insisted the nuclear facilities were ‘obliterated’ and compared his airstrikes to the two nuclear bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II.

Meanwhile NATO chief Mark Rutte suggested Donald Trump dealt with Israel and Iran’s war in the Middle East like a ‘daddy’ who uses ‘strong language’ to stop two children fighting in a schoolyard.

Rutte has put on a deferential and even fawning display with the US president, calling his intervention in the conflict ‘decisive’ and labelling him a ‘man of strength but also a man of peace’.

Trump yesterday shared private messages from Rutte which also showed him gushing over the ‘extraordinary’ US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which the US leader said ‘obliterated’ the sites.

Live updates below

Israelis on the streets of Haifa Tuesday afternoon welcomed a tentative end to their country’s 12-day conflict with Iran and expressed some gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his role in the currently holding ceasefire.

Interviews conducted in the northern city by the Reuters news agency came just hours after Trump used a profanity to lash out at Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, and Iran, of breaching the ceasefire he had announced.

“Yes, that’s typical Trump,” a 70-year-old Haifa resident, who gave her name as Esther, told Reuters.

“It’s like a parent scolding the child. He’s scolding us. But it’s not anything dramatically serious, I think.”

Haifa has been the target of Iranian missiles since Israel’s initial strikes on June 13, including an attack that injured dozens on Saturday.

Daniel Kopylkov, a 27-year-old cook, told Reuters: “Honestly, I don’t care that much about what Trump said about Israel.

“At the end of the day, I think he’s the one that truly helped to, you know, bring an end to this war and that’s what’s important to me.”

The US struck three Iranian nuclear facilities on Saturday, in attacks the White House said “obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear program. However, US intelligence sources told CNN the strikes may only have set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by a matter of months, according to preliminary assessments.

President Trump announced a ceasefire after Iran launched an attack at a US base in Qatar Monday, which it sent warning of in advance.

Israel and Iran traded missile strikes Tuesday, accusing one another of breaking the ceasefire, before each side recommitted to it.

Marc Volovici, a 42-year-old historian, told Reuters in Haifa that the US involvement in the conflict underscored Israel’s dependence on its key ally.

“It’s just a demonstration that Israel, even though it claims to be in charge of its own fate and future, is still dependent on American support completely in terms of both political and financial backing and, of course, ammunition.”

Representative image

Poll Should airlines offer better compensation for flight cancellations due to geopolitical issues? Yes, they should No, it’s not necessary

Operation Sindhu: 2,003 Indians Evacuated From Conflict-Hit Iran Amid Escalation Concerns

NEW DELHI: Flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport have been heavily disrupted since last night, with 48 cancellations reported, 28 arrivals and 20 departures, according to airport sources quoted by ANI news agency.National carrier Air India and low-cost airline IndiGo were the most affected. Air India cancelled 17 arriving and 10 departing flights, while IndiGo saw 8 arrival and 7 departure cancellations. Other domestic and international airlines also faced disruptions, with 3 arrivals and 3 departures cancelled.The impact was not limited to Delhi. Airports across India, including Ahmedabad (SVPIA), Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru, reported delays and cancellations due to airspace restrictions over Qatar and parts of the Gulf region.Cochin International Airport in Kerala issued a statement confirming multiple flight disruptions due to operational reasons. Affected services included flights between Cochin and Doha (A1953), Dubai (SG018), Abu Dhabi (6E1403), Riyadh (6E1493), Muscat (6E1271 and 6E1272), Bahrain (6E1206/055), and return flights from these locations, such as SG017 (Dubai to Cochin) and 6E1404 (Abu Dhabi to Cochin).Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow also issued a travel advisory, asking passengers to confirm flight schedules with airlines before heading to the airport.The ongoing tensions in the Middle East also led to significant airspace restrictions, affecting major international carriers.The situation has created a humanitarian challenge at various airports worldwide, with passengers facing unprecedented difficulties. The situation was also challenging for international travellers with limited-validity visas, who found themselves confined to the airport premises.”We were left stranded for hours at Schiphol Airport with no clarity, no support, and absolutely no regard for the hundreds of passengers affected. First, we were told that boarding was delayed due to intense checks. Minutes later, we saw our luggage being offloaded—and only then were we told the flight was cancelled. There were no hotel arrangements or allowances offered. Those without a valid visa couldn’t even exit the airport. When we asked for help, we were told to just collect our bags and figure it out ourselves. The attitude was shockingly dismissive and indifferent,” a passenger said.These disruptions come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Iran recently launched a missile strike targeting US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including Al Udeid Air Base — the largest American military installation in the region. The attack was in retaliation for US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow on Sunday.Airport authorities across affected cities have advised passengers to stay updated and cooperate with airline staff as flight schedules may continue to change based on developments in the Gulf region.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced this morning that he would oppose the introduction of his war powers resolution on Iran if the ceasefire holds. He described the resolution as a moot point if peace is restored. That is clearly not going to satisfy colleagues like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) who is struggling to maintain her call for impeachment.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez seemed a tad adrift when asked about the ceasefire, offering a rambling explanation on why it does not change a thing in terms of impeachable conduct:

“I think that the president of the United States, admitting that he unilaterally brought the United States into a war without congressional approval, is a very grave public admission. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional…And, and so for me, while the president is posting something about a ceasefire, I think what he also posted was an official acknowledgement that this was war. And I think that is something that should be taken into very serious consideration.”

It was an obvious blow to many democrats. You get all dressed up for an impeachment and then peace suddenly breaks out.

If it is any solace, there was never a plausible impeachment in the making. If so, you could have impeached presidents going back to Thomas Jefferson. Barack Obama dropped over 26,000 bombs in 2016 alone from Syria to Libya to Somalia to Pakistan to Afghanistan to Iraq. Democrats did not rise up and demand impeachment after Obama was hitting targets around the world.

Nevertheless, you could also taste the palpable disappointment for many. However, Marisa Tomei may have put it best for some when peace suddenly broke out in the middle of an impeachment effort (warning foul language):

In an official statement, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says:

“I have decided to proscribe Palestine Action under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000. A draft proscription order will be laid in Parliament on Monday 30 June. If passed, it will make it illegal to be a member of, or invite support for, Palestine Action.”

It goes on to say that “the disgraceful attack on Brize Norton in the early hours of the morning on Friday 20 June is the latest in a long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action. The UK’s defence enterprise is vital to the nation’s national security and this Government will not tolerate those that put that security at risk. Counter Terrorism Policing are leading the criminal investigation into this attack. It is important that this process is free from interference and the police are allowed to carry out their important work gathering evidence and working to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Since its inception in 2020, Palestine Action has orchestrated a nationwide campaign of direct criminal action against businesses and institutions, including key national infrastructure and defence firms that provide services and supplies to support Ukraine, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), “Five Eyes” allies and the UK defence enterprise. Its activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence. Palestine Action has also broadened its targets from the defence industry to include financial firms, charities, universities and government buildings. Its activities meet the threshold set out in the statutory tests established under the Terrorism Act 2000. This has been assessed through a robust evidence-based process, by a wide range of experts from across government, the police and the Security Services.”

The statement described millions of pounds worth of property damage, and says that proscription will “enable law enforcement to effectively disrupt the escalating actions of this serious group. Only last month Palestine Action claimed responsibility for an attack against a Jewish-owned business in North London, where the glass-front of the building was smashed and the building and floor defaced with red-paint including the slogan “drop Elbit”. Such incidents do not represent legitimate or peaceful protest. Regardless of whether this incident itself amounts to terrorism, such activity is clearly intimidatory and unacceptable. It is one that has been repeated many times by this organisation at sites the length and breadth of the UK.”