Addressing Latin American dignitaries, Trump painted a picture of Iran’s military in ruins. ‘We’ve taken out 42 of their warships,’ he stated emphatically, adding that strikes ravaged naval, aerial, and comms infrastructure. Nuclear sites tied to Tehran’s weapons program were also hit hard, Trump said, thwarting their path to atomic power.

‘You’re doing incredible work, Pete. Fantastic!’ Trump told Hegseth, highlighting the secretary’s role in these operations.

Meanwhile, Israel reported neutralizing 16 IRGC Quds Force planes in precision airstrikes on Tehran, targeting the capital’s key airport and other strategic points.

From Tehran, President Pezeshkian fired off social media retorts, clarifying that Iran’s responses zeroed in on American installations, sparing regional allies. His statement came after a public plea for forgiveness to Gulf neighbors and news that Iran’s council paused offensive actions unless provoked.

These dueling narratives underscore a volatile conflict, raising questions about verification, escalation risks, and the broader geopolitical chessboard.