Trump criticises US media over leaked intel claiming Iran nuclear sites largely intact - as it happened

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3 months ago25 Jun 4:47pm

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at US media outlets for reporting a leaked intelligence assessment — a move earlier described as "treasonous" by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
The classified US intelligence assessment, which was leaked to and reported on by CNN and The New York Times, found Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear sites caused limited damage, with key infrastructure still intact.
A ceasefire announced overnight between Israel and Iran appears to be holding. Neither government has yet released details about the deal, which was brokered by and announced by Trump.
Hours before it took effect, however, Israel launched its most extensive strike against Tehran in half a century. Among the targets was a prison used to detain political opponents, signalling a broader shift in Israel's strategy to target critical institutions of the Iranian regime.
Iran has executed three men accused of spying for Israel, bringing the total number of arbitrary executions to 6 since hostilities began on 13 June.
Amnesty International has urged Iranian authorities to halt all plans to carry out the executions, with its advocacy manager Kyinzom Dhongdue warning they form part of a "wider campaign of repression".
Hours after brokering the ceasefire, Trump posted a caption-less video showing B-2 bombers flying through the sky dropping bombs to a mock remix of a famous Beach Boys song with the eponymous lyrics "Barbara Ann" replaced with "bomb Iran".
Israel has reopened its airspace, renewing hopes among Australians stranded in the Middle East that they may soon experience a return to "regular ways" of flying.
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, told the Security Council that his country is prepared to respond forcefully to any ceasefire violations by Iran.
In an interview with SBS News, Iran's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, said his country is "clearly a peaceful nation" and is open to diplomacy and negotiation.

— Gabrielle Katanasho

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3 months ago25 Jun 12:23pm

Trump criticises US media for reporting intel leak, questioning impact of Iran strikes

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at US media outlets for reporting a leaked intelligence assessment that has cast doubt over the success of 'Operation Midnight Hammer'.

The leaked preliminary report found the US's weekend attack only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months, contrary to claims made by Trump and other senior officials that the sites were "obliterated".

"Fake news CNN, together with the failing New York Times, have teamed up in an attempt to demean one of the most successful military strikes in history," Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social.

— Gabrielle Katanasho

3 months ago25 Jun 3:20pm

Make Iran Great Again ... or not?

In yet another foreign policy flip-flop, President Donald Trump has rejected the idea of regime change in Iran as something that could lead to "chaos".

He had only floated the idea days ago, posing the question: "Why wouldn’t there be a regime change?"

"It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change', but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???" he wrote on Truth Social on Monday.

"If there was [regime change], there was, but no, I don't want it. I'd like to see everything calm down as quickly as possible," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to a NATO summit in the Netherlands.

On the sidelines of the NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan "expressed his satisfaction with the ceasefire achieved between Israel and Iran through President Trump's efforts, hoping it would be permanent," his office said.

Russia and Germany are among the other countries to praise the truce.

— Gabrielle Katanasho

3 months ago25 Jun 2:47pm

Iranian authorities must halt 'arbitrary executions', Amnesty International says

Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has expressed concerns over "arbitrary executions" occurring in Iran.

Since Israel's attacks on Iran began on 13 June, Iranian authorities have executed at least six men — three of whom were hanged earlier on Wednesday — and arrested many more over accusations of "collaboration" with Israel.

The Iranian parliament has fast-tracked a bill that equates people who are accused of espionage or collaboration with hostile governments, including the US and Israel, with vaguely defined national security charges like "enmity against God" and "corruption on earth".

"It is part of a wider campaign of repression where the Iranian state uses the death penalty as a tool to instil fear," Kyinzom Dhongdue, advocacy manager at Amnesty International Australia, told SBS News.

"If you look at the number of death penalties that have taken place in Iran over the past year, 942 people have been executed. The death penalty is a very common penalty or the punishment used by the Iranian state against people who have views that are against the state."

Dhongdue said they are also alarmed by the fate of people who are trapped in Iranian prisons.

"These are people who have been arrested and charged after grossly unfair trials.

"People do not have access to lawyers of their choosing. And many of the confessions were forced under duress, under torture."

— Gabrielle Katanasho, Niv Sadrolodabaee and Jennifer Scherer

3 months ago25 Jun 2:16pm

'We want to see peace in the region', Albanese says, as he backs Trump's angry tirade

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has weighed in on US President Donald Trump's strongly worded attack — delivered in frustration over Israel and Iran in his attempt to hold a fragile ceasefire between them together.

"President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection. I think that he stated his views pretty abruptly, and I think they were very clear," Albanese told reporters in Launceston on Wednesday.

"We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump."

Treasurer Jim Chalmers earlier responded, saying Australians shouldn't be concerned about the words used.

— Gabrielle Katanasho

3 months ago25 Jun 1:59pm

Iran hangs three men over accused espionage for Israel

Iran has executed three men accused of spying for Israel.

"Idris Ali, Azad Shojai and Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, who attempted to import equipment into the country to carry out assassinations, were arrested and tried for ... cooperation favouring the Zionist regime," the judiciary said, referring to Israel.

"The sentence was carried out this morning ... and they were hanged."

Since hostilities began on 13 June, Tehran vowed swift trials for people arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Israel.

It carried out executions of men accused of being Mossad agents on both Sunday and Monday.

— Gabrielle Katanasho

3 months ago25 Jun 1:44pm

NATO chief sends flattering message to Trump before summit

World leaders have gathered in The Hague for the NATO summit, US President Donald Trump's first since 2019.

Ahead of his arrival, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte sent him a text message gushing with praise.

"Mr President, dear Donald, Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no-one else dared to do. It makes us all safer," the message reads.

Rutte defended president Trump's decision to share what appeared to be private messages to his Truth Social platform, telling reporters: "I have absolutely no trouble or problem with that because there's nothing in it which had to stay secret."

The NATO secretary-general earlier told his European colleagues to stop worrying about whether the US would continue to show commitment to the Western alliance.

— Gabrielle Katanasho

3 months ago25 Jun 12:58pm

'We're hopeful we can have a long-term peace', Trump envoy says

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has described talks between the US and Iran as "promising", saying the US remains hopeful for a long-term peace deal.

"We are already talking to each other, not just directly but also through interlocutors. I think that the conversations are promising. We are hopeful that we can have a long-term peace agreement that resurrects Iran," Witkoff told Fox News.

A man with greying hair speaks into a microphone.

US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has described the US and Iran talks as "promising". Source: AAP / Chris Kleponis

"Now it's for us to sit down with the Iranians and get to a comprehensive peace agreement, and I am very confident that we are going to achieve that."

— Gabrielle Katanasho

3 months ago25 Jun 12:19pm

Trump posts video with 'bomb Iran' soundtrack, hours after brokering ceasefire

In a strange move, hours after brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump posted a video showing the B-2 bombers flying through the sky dropping bombs to a track repeating the words "bomb Iran".

Bomb Iran, the 1980 Vince Vance & the Valiants song — which is a parody of the Beach Boys hit Barbara Ann — continues with the lyrics: "Went to a mosque, going to throw some rocks, tell the Ayatollah, going to put you in a box."

The B-2 stealth bombers were used in the US attack on Iran's nuclear sites.

Trump posted the video without a caption, and it is unclear who made it.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago25 Jun 11:44am

Fresh evacuation hopes for Australians stranded in Israel and Iran

Australians stranded in the Middle East may soon experience a return to "regular ways" of flying as Israel reopened its airspace amid a fragile ceasefire with Iran.

Late Tuesday night, the Australian Defence Force evacuated 119 Australians and their families from Tel Aviv on repatriation flights.

It remains unclear how many Australians are seeking to return home from Israel and Iran, but over 4,000 have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for help to leave the region as the two countries exchanged fire over 12 days.

Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said Australians should continue engaging with DFAT, but regular commercial flights may soon be available out of Israel as airspace opens.

Read our full story here:

Fresh evacuation hopes for Australians, as Chalmers reacts to Trump's F-word outburst

3 months ago25 Jun 11:08am

'Treasonous': Trump envoy criticises US intel report leak

The US's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has described the leaking of an intelligence report that suggested American bombs dropped on key Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend may have only inflicted limited damage as "treasonous" in an interview with Fox News.

"It goes without saying that leaking that kind of information is outrageous, it's treasonous ... whoever is responsible for it should be held accountable," he said during the interview.

Witkoff then went on to dismiss the claims in the assessment, saying: "We put 12 bunker buster bombs on Fordow. There's no doubt that it breached the canopy .. .and there's no doubt that it was obliterated," comments which Trump then shared in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago25 Jun 10:54am

Israel will 'respond forcefully' to any ceasefire violations, UN ambassador says

Israel's ambassador to the UN has said his country would respond forcefully to any ceasefire violations by Iran.

"Let no-one mistake our desire for peace as weakness. Any violation of the ceasefire will be met with a forceful response," Danny Danon told the UN Security Council today.

"We have demonstrated that we can and will act to defend our people against any threat. We will do so with overwhelming strength and moral clarity," he added.

When questioned about a ceasefire deal with Gaza, Danon said there was currently a "proposal on the table".

— Julia Abbondanza

3 months ago25 Jun 10:23am

Trump doubles down on claim he 'obliterated' Iranian nuclear sites, despite leaked US intel

Earlier, we reported that a leaked US intel assessment appeared to undercut President Donald Trump's repeated claims the US had "obliterated" key Iranian nuclear sites during a surprise attack over the weekend.

Trump appears to be addressing the claims made in the assessment in part, posting on Truth Social: "Based on everything we have seen — and I've seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran's ability to create nuclear weapons."

The post also shared a screenshot of a statement from his defence secretary Pete Hegseth, which stated: "Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly."

"The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the President and the successful mission," the statement said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency — which is the UN watchdog tasked with monitoring Iran's nuclear program — said earlier this week it is difficult to assess the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear facilities, as no international bodies currently have access.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago25 Jun 9:34am

Terms of the ceasefire agreement remain unknown

The ceasefire announced overnight between Israel and Iran has taken effect, yet neither government has released the details of the deal or what obligations each side has accepted.

— Julia Abbondanza

3 months ago25 Jun 9:04am

Iran is 'clearly a peaceful nation', its ambassador to Australia says

After US President Donald Trump floated the possibility of 'regime change' in Iran, the nation's ambassador to Australia, Ahmad Sadeghi, has warned any Western-led attempt to remove Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be so severe he does "not want even to talk about it".

In a wide-ranging interview with SBS News, Sadeghi said the country has a "right to enrich uranium" and referred to US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities as "unprovoked and against international law".

He went on to say Iran is "clearly a peaceful nation" and open to diplomacy and negotiation.

You can listen to the full interview here:
— Sara Tomevska and Anna Henderson

3 months ago25 Jun 8:37am

Hours before ceasefire, Israel launches most extensive strike against Tehran in half a century

Just hours before the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had launched the most "devastating" strike Tehran has experienced in 50 years.

"We eliminated hundreds of regime operatives and members of the Revolutionary Guard," he said.

Among the targets was a Tehran prison used by Iran's leadership to detain political opponents, signalling a broader shift in Israel's strategy to include not only military and nuclear facilities but also critical institutions of Iran's ruling system.

Netanyahu said Israel "destroyed" Iran's nuclear program and issued a warning that if Iran attempts to rebuild it, Israel will "act with the same determination and the same force to foil such an attempt".

— Cameron Carr

3 months ago25 Jun 7:43am

If you're just joining us, here's the latest on the Israel-Iran ceasefire

A US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel officially began on 24 June, following 12 days of escalating conflict.
The truce had a rocky start as both sides launched attacks in the hours leading up to and shortly after it started. Iran fired missiles into Israel, while Israel struck targets near Tehran.
Despite these violations, the ceasefire appears to be holding, with no new reported strikes as of Wednesday morning AEST.
US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire via social media, calling it a "complete and total ceasefire" and later declaring the war "officially over".
Trump publicly scolded Israel for launching airstrikes shortly after the agreement, saying, "Bring your pilots home, now!" and "Do not drop those bombs".
During the now viral outburst, he also accused both sides of fighting for so long they "don't know what the f--k they're doing".
The angry tirade appears to have been effective, with all parties now adhering to the truce and framing it as a victory for their respective nations.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian called the ceasefire a "total victory" and expressed readiness to resolve issues with the US diplomatically.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised it as "historic", stating Israel had achieved all its military objectives.
In another striking development, a US intelligence report leaked to US news outlets suggests Trump's surprise weekend strikes on Iran's nuclear sites caused limited damage.
Trump previously described the facilities as "completely obliterated".
A NATO summit will take place in Amsterdam today, which Trump will attend. Leaders are expected to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.

— Essam Al-Ghalib, Cameron Carr and Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago25 Jun 7:08am

US strikes on Iran didn't destroy nuclear sites, Pentagon assessment says

A classified US intelligence assessment, which was leaked to and reported by CNN and other US news outlets, has found Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear sites caused limited damage, likely only setting the program back by a few months.

The report by the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency contradicts US President Donald Trump's claims the facilities were "completely obliterated", according to CNN.

It found key infrastructure, including centrifuges and enriched uranium, remained largely intact.

US officials who spoke to CNN said much of Iran's uranium stockpile was moved before the attack, possibly to secret sites.

The White House has disputed the findings, insisting Iran's nuclear capability has been destroyed.

"This alleged 'assessment' is flat-out wrong and was classified as 'top-secret' but was still leaked to CNN," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X.

The assessment estimated the program was delayed by less than six months, according to another report by The New York Times.

— Essam Al-Ghalib

3 months ago25 Jun 6:42am

Diplomatic talks with Iran will 'happen soon', Israel's UN ambassador says

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has said he believes diplomatic talks with Iran "will happen soon" but that it is "too early" to begin the process.

Speaking outside the UN shortly after the ceasefire had been declared intact by all sides, Danon told reporters that while it was not possible yet to "assess" the impact of all of Israel's strikes on Iran, it was clear the military campaign had pushed back Iran's nuclear program and "removed the imminent threat" that it posed.

Danon also appeared to hint Israel could be open to new relationships with some of its Arab neighbours in the Middle East, telling reporters his country felt the time was right to "build bridges and partnerships in the region".

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago25 Jun 6:27am

Netanyahu hails Trump after 'devastating' strike on Iran, warns against nuclear revival

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked US President Donald Trump for backing Israel during its most recent conflict with Iran.

In a national address on Tuesday night, Netanyahu praised Trump's role in coordinating both defensive and offensive actions, calling it a "historic event" and saying Israel has "never had a greater friend in the White House".

He said Israel launched its most "devastating" strike against Iran in 50 years just hours before the ceasefire, saying "hundreds" of Iranian regime and revolutionary guard operatives were eliminated and that Iran's nuclear program was "destroyed".

Netanyahu warned any attempt by Iran to revive its nuclear program would be met with equal force.

Earlier, Trump expressed frustration with both sides, accusing Israel of "unloading" on Iran immediately after the ceasefire deal was struck.

— Essam Al-Ghalib

3 months ago25 Jun 6:20am

Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire now 'in effect'

In an extraordinary turn of events, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran — which each side accused the other of violating just hours after it had been agreed — now appears to be holding, after United States President Donald Trump launched an angry tirade at both sides.

Israel said Iran launched missiles shortly after the truce began on Tuesday — claims Iran denied. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly paused a tougher response following a call with Trump, later confirming a bilateral ceasefire had been agreed after Israel met its war aims, including curbing Iran's nuclear and missile threats.

All sides appear to be framing the announcement as a win. Netanyahu described it as a "historic victory" for Israel while addressing his nation, while Iran's president said his people had instigated the end of the "12-day war".

Trump, for his part, said, "Israel and Iran wanted to stop the war, equally!" in a post on Truth Social.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, earlier vowed not to surrender. While Trump, who had recently hinted at regime change, later said he is not seeking it.

— Essam Al-Ghalib and Hannah Ritchie

Trump criticises US media over leaked intel claiming Iran nuclear sites largely intact - as it happened

The leaked intelligence assessment, which appears to directly undercut President Trump's claims that the US strikes on Iran "obliterated" its nuclear program, comes just hours after all sides agreed to a ceasefire.

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

Trump criticises US media for reporting intel leak, questioning impact of Iran strikes

Make Iran Great Again ... or not?

Iranian authorities must halt 'arbitrary executions', Amnesty International says

'We want to see peace in the region', Albanese says, as he backs Trump's angry tirade

Iran hangs three men over accused espionage for Israel

NATO chief sends flattering message to Trump before summit

'We're hopeful we can have a long-term peace', Trump envoy says

Trump posts video with 'bomb Iran' soundtrack, hours after brokering ceasefire

Fresh evacuation hopes for Australians stranded in Israel and Iran

READ MORE

'Treasonous': Trump envoy criticises US intel report leak

Israel will 'respond forcefully' to any ceasefire violations, UN ambassador says

Trump doubles down on claim he 'obliterated' Iranian nuclear sites, despite leaked US intel

Terms of the ceasefire agreement remain unknown

Iran is 'clearly a peaceful nation', its ambassador to Australia says

Hours before ceasefire, Israel launches most extensive strike against Tehran in half a century

If you're just joining us, here's the latest on the Israel-Iran ceasefire

US strikes on Iran didn't destroy nuclear sites, Pentagon assessment says

Diplomatic talks with Iran will 'happen soon', Israel's UN ambassador says

Netanyahu hails Trump after 'devastating' strike on Iran, warns against nuclear revival

Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire now 'in effect'

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Trump criticises US media over leaked intel claiming Iran nuclear sites largely intact - as it happened

The leaked intelligence assessment, which appears to directly undercut President Trump's claims that the US strikes on Iran "obliterated" its nuclear program, comes just hours after all sides agreed to a ceasefire.

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

Trump criticises US media for reporting intel leak, questioning impact of Iran strikes

Make Iran Great Again ... or not?

Iranian authorities must halt 'arbitrary executions', Amnesty International says

'We want to see peace in the region', Albanese says, as he backs Trump's angry tirade

Iran hangs three men over accused espionage for Israel

NATO chief sends flattering message to Trump before summit

'We're hopeful we can have a long-term peace', Trump envoy says

Trump posts video with 'bomb Iran' soundtrack, hours after brokering ceasefire

Fresh evacuation hopes for Australians stranded in Israel and Iran

READ MORE

'Treasonous': Trump envoy criticises US intel report leak

Israel will 'respond forcefully' to any ceasefire violations, UN ambassador says

Trump doubles down on claim he 'obliterated' Iranian nuclear sites, despite leaked US intel

Terms of the ceasefire agreement remain unknown

Iran is 'clearly a peaceful nation', its ambassador to Australia says

Hours before ceasefire, Israel launches most extensive strike against Tehran in half a century

If you're just joining us, here's the latest on the Israel-Iran ceasefire

US strikes on Iran didn't destroy nuclear sites, Pentagon assessment says

Diplomatic talks with Iran will 'happen soon', Israel's UN ambassador says

Netanyahu hails Trump after 'devastating' strike on Iran, warns against nuclear revival

Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire now 'in effect'

previous

1of2

next

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