Trump determined to make the world believe Iran's nuclear programme dismantled. Why?
Israel’s military chief of staff called the damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure “systemic” and said it had set the programme back years
There are two key reasons why former President Donald Trump is so determined to convince the world that Iran's nuclear programme has been thoroughly dismantled.
First, Trump's presidency has always revolved around promoting his image as a bold, decisive leader — one who is strong, exceptional, and beyond reproach. Any information that undercuts that narrative threatens the foundation of his political brand, according to a CNN analysis.
Second, acknowledging that Iran still possesses the ability to develop nuclear weapons — or could revive its programme after recent US airstrikes — would raise a troubling question: Should the US launch further military action? That possibility would mean a prolonged and uncertain conflict with Iran, something Trump has little appetite for.
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It could also risk a broader regional war and potentially alienate parts of his political base who prefer avoiding entanglements abroad.
In response to media reports citing a preliminary, "low confidence" assessment by the Defence Intelligence Agency — which indicated that US strikes on three Iranian facilities failed to eliminate essential elements of the programme and likely delayed it only by months — Trump and his inner circle have gone on the offensive.
They're dismissing such reports and lashing out at media outlets for undercutting the official narrative.
At a NATO summit press conference, Trump doubled down, insisting the operation was a resounding success. "It was called obliteration," he said. "No other military on Earth could have done it."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality elevated to lead the Pentagon, delivered a fiery critique of CNN and The New York Times, accusing them of distorting the story for political purposes and disregarding military morale.
To counter negative coverage, the White House pointed to more favourable evaluations. Israel's military chief of staff called the damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure "systemic" and said it had set the programme back years.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe also claimed the agency had evidence of severe damage.
These statements suggest Iran was dealt a significant blow — but they fall short of backing Trump's sweeping assertion that the programme has been entirely destroyed.
Trump's strategy is familiar: shaping his own reality and insisting others fall in line, even in the absence of definitive proof. It's a tactic he used effectively after the 2020 election with baseless claims of voter fraud.
If he can convince the world that Iran's nuclear capabilities are no longer a threat, and discredit those who say otherwise, he has a pretext for avoiding further military escalation.
