New assessment of Iran strike, Trump rejected more punishing campaign, Zelensky appoints new U.S. emissary, Petraeus: U.S. weapons may not turn the tide.

Iran is threatening to raise uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels and exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) if Western powers move forward with reimposing United Nations sanctions, according to Iranian state media. The warning follows mounting pressure from the United States and its European allies.

Officials in Israel are acknowledging that some enriched uranium may have survived the powerful U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last month.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump tried to keep a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran in place Tuesday as reports emerged indicating the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend was not as successful as he initially claimed.

Hegseth also took a jab at the news media over ongoing coverage that contradicts the Trump administration's firm stance that the facilities were obliterated.

With questions mounting over the impact of the U.S. and Israeli onslaught on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military infrastructure, a return to hostilities could be a matter of when, not if.

Experts long argued that airstrikes alone would not be capable of permanently ending Iran's nuclear program absent negotiations.

The process of uranium enrichment increases the concentration of U-235, an isotope that can sustain a nuclear chain reaction. Beginning in 2006, the U.N. Security Council called on Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment, but it endorsed the JCPOA on July 20, 2015.

China has promised to help Iran stand up to "bullying" and to defend its rights and interests through talks, China's foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart, as Iran seeks to rally international support after Israeli and U.S. attacks on its nuclear program.