President Donald Trump called it a perfect strike, but a new intel leak reveals that Iran’s nuclear sites may not have been wiped out after all.
Plus, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has dropped out of the mayoral race. A newcomer won in New York’s mayoral primary, catching the political world off guard.
Also, a door plug blew off in midair in January 2024. After 17 months, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concludes its investigation, explaining why it believes the incident should never have happened in the first place.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
Iran’s nuclear program not ‘completely obliterated’ in US strikes: Report
New intelligence questions claims that U.S. airstrikes completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear program. A defense intelligence agency report states the strikes only delayed Iran by a few months, far from the “total obliteration” claimed by President Donald Trump.
The report, obtained by sources familiar with the findings, appears to contradict statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It states that last weekend’s strikes on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan did cause significant damage, but the facilities were not entirely destroyed.
U.S. intel suggests some of Iran’s highly enriched uranium was moved before the attack and that many of the centrifuges needed to produce weapons-grade material are still intact.
The White House has strongly pushed back on these claims.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the report “flat out wrong,” adding that “the leaking of this alleged assessment is a clear attempt to demean President Trump and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program.”
“Everyone knows what happens when you drop fourteen 30-thousand-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration,” Leavitt said.
Trump echoed this on Truth Social, calling it “one of the most successful military strikes in history” and claiming Iran’s nuclear sites are completely destroyed. Special envoy Steve Witkoff, speaking to Fox News, dismissed the report and demanded consequences for the leak.
“It goes without saying that leaking that type of information, whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on, is outrageous. It’s treasonous. So, it ought to be investigated, and whoever did it and whoever’s responsible for it should be held accountable,” Witkoff said.
When asked if Iran could restart its nuclear enrichment program within months, Witkoff said the idea is “not even conceivable.” He also stated that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran brokered by Trump is still holding, despite reports of renewed fighting.
Trump to speak at NATO summit after big win on defense spending
Trump will visit the Netherlands on Wednesday, June 25, for a meeting with NATO leaders. Afterwards, he will hold a sideline meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and conclude with a press conference.
During the summit so far, NATO members have agreed to a major boost in defense spending. They are committing to spend 5% of GDP within a decade, more than doubling the current target of 2%. This move aligns with demands that Trump has pushed for years. This includes hundreds of billions of dollars in additional annual military spending.
Under the plan, 3.5% would go to core defense: troops, weapons and equipment. The other 1.5% would cover broader security needs: from cyber defense to military-ready infrastructure. Every NATO member signed onto the commitment, except Spain. The prime minister called the target “disproportionate and unnecessary.”
Progressive Mamdani defeats Cuomo in NYC mayoral primary
A political upset in New York City, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is close to becoming the city’s next mayor. The 33-year-old state assemblyman took the lead in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, prompting former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to concede, just four years after he resigned amid scandal.
Mamdani’s support is likely just below 50%, which will activate ranked-choice voting in July. However, with this lead, the result seems secure. This could represent a significant victory for progressives.
Mamdani campaigned on rent freeze, free buses and higher taxes on the wealthy.
“Tonight, we made history. In the words of Nelson Mandela, it always seems impossible until it is done,” Mamdani said. If elected in November, Mamdani will become the city’s first Muslim mayor.
NTSB: Systemic failures at Boeing, FAA led to Alaska Airlines door blowout
After a 17-month investigation into last January’s door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that four bolts, intended to hold the panel in place, were missing, and no one caught it before the plane was delivered.
At a public hearing in Washington, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said that Boeing failed to ensure workers followed proper procedures but praised the flight crew as heroes.
“In this case, the crew knew exactly what to do; they acted without hesitation, and it saved lives,” Homendy said. “And yet, the crew shouldn’t have had to be heroes. Because this accident never should have happened.”
The agency issued 19 new safety recommendations — ten aimed at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nine at Boeing — and warned that a single bolt could have prevented the blowout entirely.
The FAA said it’s already made changes and won’t lift production caps on Boeing until it’s confident that safety standards are being met. The NTSB’s final report is expected in the coming weeks.
Dangerous heat wave grips East Coast, relief in sight
After a scorcher on Tuesday, June 24, which marked the hottest June day ever recorded at JFK and reached 99 degrees in Central Park, millions along the East Coast are waking up to yet another dangerously hot day. Heat index values could exceed 110 degrees from Washington to Boston on Wednesday, June 25, with excessive heat warnings still in effect for most of the I-95 corridor.
Temperatures in cities like New York and Philadelphia may not drop below 80, making it difficult for the body to cool down. However, relief is coming. Temperatures will start to fall in New England on Thursday, June 26, and by Friday, some areas will see highs dip into the 70s. Meanwhile, in the Mid-Atlantic, low to mid-90s will persist into the weekend.
First-time flyers from India, Poland and Hungary launch to ISS
Four astronauts are en route to the International Space Station (ISS) after a two-week delay. The private mission, funded by Axiom Space and launched onboard a SpaceX Falcon rocket, includes astronauts from India, Poland and the nation’s first crew member in space in over 40 years.
They’re joined by America’s most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson. Liftoff from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center was delayed by two weeks due to concerns over a leak at the space station.
In addition to dozens of experiments, the crew brought a taste of home: Indian curry with rice and mango nectar, spicy Hungarian paprika paste and freeze-dried Polish pierogies. They’re expected to dock with the ISS on Thursday morning, June 26.
