IDF: Iran's Nuclear Program Set Back Years + Iran Foreign Ministry: Nuclear Facilities "Badly Damaged" + NATO Agrees to Increase Spending to 5% GDP + More

For review:

1.  In a video statement on Tuesday summing up the war against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel “achieved a historic victory” that would “abide for generations."

“Now, the focus returns to Gaza, to bringing the hostages home and toppling Hamas rule,” he added. 

2. IDF: Iran's Nuclear Program Set Back Years.  

Israel Defense Forces spokesman Brigadier General Effi Defrin said Wednesday:  "I can say here that the assessment is that we significantly damaged the nuclear program, and I can also say that we set it back by years, I repeat, years.” 

3. Iran Foreign Ministry: Nuclear Facilities "Badly Damaged."  Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Wednesday conceded the Sunday strikes by American B-2 bombers using bunker-buster bombs had been significant. 

4.  Iran has, over the last 12 days, arrested more than 700 people accused of ties with Israel, state-linked media reported Wednesday.

5.  The United States and Qatar said Wednesday that the ceasefire in Iran has created an opportunity to advance truce-hostage talks they are mediating between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. 

6. NATO Agrees to Boost Spending to 5% GDP.  The 5%  GDP figure is a bit of a workaround, with 3.5% for core defense tasks and an additional 1.5% on measures that support defense and security- such as cyber defense. 

7.  The United Kingdom announced today it will buy “at least” 12 F-35As and will use the jets to “join NATO’s dual capable nuclear mission” in what it called a “major boost” for the alliance’s security.