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Trump Claims US “Demolished Iran” Without NATO Support

6/25/2026

26 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump told NATO chief the United States “demolished Iran” in the war’s first week without NATO help.
At a June 24, 2026 White House meeting, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that 4,000-5,000 U.S. planes flew from European bases during conflict and NATO members have raised defense spending.
The Pentagon began a review of U.S. forces after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused allies of “free-riding” and limiting base access.

History

Historical Context

Operation Desert Storm began on 17 January 1991 after UN Resolution 678 authorized a 42-nation coalition led by the United States to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The U.S. deployed roughly 540,000 troops and flew more than 100,000 sorties, dropping 88,500 tonnes of bombs. That massive air-campaign is now cited by officials invoking past Gulf-War precedent for current Middle-East strategies.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump told NATO chief the United States “demolished Iran” in the war’s first week without NATO help.
At a June 24, 2026 White House meeting, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said that 4,000-5,000 U.S. planes flew from European bases during conflict and NATO members have raised defense spending.
The Pentagon began a review of U.S. forces after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused allies of “free-riding” and limiting base access.

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