President Donald Trump held a news conference in The Hague after the conclusion of the NATO summit in the Netherlands on Wednesday, stating that U.S. and Iranian officials would meet next week on how to move forward following U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear enrichment sites. Leaders at NATO announced that they have agreed to increase their defense spending target to 5% of their gross domestic product by 2035.
Speaking at the conference, Trump, who appeared alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said, “It was a tough 12 days, but we believe it’s come to a close. I don’t think either side is looking to restart things anytime soon. I spoke to leaders on both sides — they’re worn out. It was brutal, but I think they’re ready to pull back. Could it flare up again? Sure, anything’s possible, maybe even soon. But for now, they’re stepping back.”
Trump continued to claim the strikes decimated Iran’s nuclear program, contrary to a U.S. intelligence assessment that the damage set the program back only by several months. He also suggested that a formal agreement with Iran might be possible in the future. However, he downplayed its importance, claiming Iran’s nuclear infrastructure had already been decimated. Trump told reporters: “We’ll be sitting down with Iran next week. Whether we have a signed agreement or not doesn’t really matter to me. Our stance hasn’t changed — we don’t want them to have nuclear weapons. But those nuclear sites? We took care of that. They’ve been destroyed. Completely.”
The president’s comments came amid cautious optimism following a 12-day flare-up between Iran and Israel, which ended with a ceasefire reportedly brokered by the Trump administration. The brief conflict resulted in 28 fatalities in Israel and several hundred casualties in Iran.
Per AP News, Iran has not acknowledged any talks taking place next week; however, U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff has said there has been direct and indirect communication between the countries. A sixth round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran had been scheduled for earlier this month in Oman but was cancelled when Israel attacked Iran.
Per CBS News, Pres. Trump also met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who complimented the president on his efforts to boost other countries’ defense spending and on his efforts in the Middle East. Rutte said: “You are a man of strength and also a man of peace.”
In addition, Trump also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Zelenskyy writing on X that they discussed “how to achieve a ceasefire and a real peace deal. We appreciate the attention and the readiness to help bring peace close Details will follow.” The president alson said of his conversation with Zelenskyy, “I took from the meeting that he’d like to see it end. I think it’s a great time to end it. I’m going to speak to Vladimir Putin and see if we can get it ended.”
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