A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to hold for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing that American and Iranian officials are expected to engage in discussions next week—offering a glimmer of hope for sustained peace.
Speaking at a NATO summit, Trump, who played a key role in brokering the ceasefire that began Tuesday following nearly two weeks of hostilities, said he had little interest in resuming talks with Tehran, claiming U.S. strikes had effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear capabilities. An Iranian official, however, questioned whether the U.S. could be trusted in light of the recent attacks.
“We may sign an agreement, I don’t know,” Trump said. “The way I see it, they fought, and now the war is over.”
While Tehran has yet to confirm any upcoming talks, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff noted that communication—both direct and indirect—had taken place. A sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks that had been slated for earlier this month in Oman was canceled after Israeli strikes targeted Iranian assets.
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Earlier, Trump described the ceasefire as going “very well,” reiterating his firm stance that Iran would “not have a bomb” and “won’t enrich.”
Tehran, however, remains adamant about continuing its nuclear program. In a move that could further complicate diplomacy, the Iranian parliament voted to expedite legislation that would effectively suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing the recent U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf accused the IAEA of failing to condemn the attack on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “Therefore, cooperation with the agency will be suspended until our facilities are secure. Meanwhile, our peaceful nuclear program will proceed at an accelerated pace,” he said.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed he had reached out to Iran to resume inspections, saying that his team needs to reassess Iran’s uranium stockpiles, particularly since Iran claims it moved them prior to the U.S. strikes.
“We must return,” Grossi said. “We need engagement.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed hope that Iran would return to negotiations. France was part of the 2015 nuclear deal, which began to unravel after Trump withdrew the U.S. during his first term. Macron has spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian several times during the conflict.
Grossi emphasized that under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran remains legally bound to cooperate with the IAEA. “Now that hostilities have ceased, and given the sensitivity of the material, we must resume our inspections without delay,” he told France 2.
While Iran maintains that its nuclear efforts are peaceful, Israeli officials argue the country could rapidly develop a weapon if unchecked. Israel, believed to be the region’s only nuclear-armed state, has never officially confirmed its arsenal.
Debate Over the Impact of US Strikes
The Israel Atomic Energy Commission claimed the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes had “set back Iran’s nuclear weapons development by many years,” though it did not provide detailed evidence.
Trump insisted that U.S. strikes, which hit three key Iranian nuclear facilities, had “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities. When questioned about U.S. intelligence assessments suggesting only a temporary setback, Trump dismissed the reports, saying it would take years for Iran to rebuild.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei admitted to significant damage from the U.S. B-2 bomber raids using bunker-buster munitions. “Our installations suffered heavy damage, no doubt,” he said, though he refrained from giving specifics.
Baghaei also hinted that Iran may not entirely sever ties with the IAEA, suggesting that the pending legislation only suspends cooperation. He emphasized Iran’s right to develop nuclear energy. “We will defend that right under any circumstance,” he added.
Speaking to Fox News, U.S. envoy Witkoff said Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability had been “totally destroyed,” meeting Tehran’s precondition for talks—that Israeli attacks cease. “The proof is in the pudding,” he said. “No one is shooting. The war is over.”
Path Toward Long-Term Peace?
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said the ceasefire was essentially a “quiet for quiet” deal, with no broader agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
Still, Witkoff expressed optimism about a broader peace deal. “We’re already talking—not just directly, but through intermediaries,” he said.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry, however, remained cautious. Baghaei accused the U.S. of undermining diplomacy with its airstrikes and warned that Iran’s national security remains the top priority.
“We are open to diplomacy, but we must determine whether others are sincere or simply using it as a tactic to destabilize our region further,” he said.
IAEA chief Grossi urged all parties to seize the ceasefire as a window for renewed diplomacy. “From the devastation of conflict, there now emerges an opportunity. We must not let it pass,” he said.
Mossad Reveals Intelligence Operations
In a rare move, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency released a video detailing covert operations that enabled the targeting of key Iranian personnel and infrastructure. Mossad chief David Barnea credited collaboration with the CIA and advanced surveillance technologies.
“Through unmatched intelligence and cutting-edge capabilities, we enabled the air force to strike critical nuclear targets, dominate Iran’s skies, and reduce their missile threat,” Mossad said in a Facebook post.
Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir claimed special forces had operated “deep inside enemy territory” during the conflict.
Tehran reported 606 deaths and over 5,300 injuries from the strikes. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group put the Iranian death toll at 1,054, including 417 civilians and 318 security personnel.
In Israel, 28 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured, according to official sources.
Meanwhile, Iran executed six individuals accused of spying for Israel in the past two weeks—three of them on Wednesday.