Pope Leo Hopes Iran-Israel Will No Longer Revenge

JAKARTA - Pope Leo XIV hopes Iran and Israel will not take revenge after 12 days of war, involving the US with airstrikes related to Iran's nuclear facilities.

"May all logic of oppression and revenge be rejected, and hopefully the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace will be chosen with determination," the Pope said in remarks at the end of his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square. The ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appears to last after the two countries signal that their air war has ended

Each side claimed victory on Tuesday, June 24, after 12 days of war, followed by the US with airstrikes to support Israel in destroying Iran's uranium enrichment facility.

Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, said late Tuesday talks between the United States and Iran "promised". Washington hopes to reach a long-term peace agreement.

"We've spoken to each other, not only directly but also through interlocutors. I think the talks are promising. We hope to reach a long-term peace agreement that revives Iran," Witkoff said in an interview at the "The Ingraham Angle" event at Fox News. reported by Reuters, Wednesday, June 25.

"Now is the time for us to sit down with Iran and reach a comprehensive peace agreement, and I firmly believe that we will achieve it."

Trump said on weekends US stealth bombers had "destroyed" Iran's program to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says its enrichment activities are only for civilian purposes.

However, Trump's claims appear to contradict an initial report by one of his government's intelligence agencies, according to three people familiar with the matter.

One source said Iran's enriched uranium stock had not been removed, and the country's nuclear program, most of which was buried deep underground, may have been pushed back for just a month or two.

The White House said the intelligence assessment was "a big mistake."

According to the report, made by the Defense Intelligence Service, the attack closed the entrance to two facilities, but did not demolish the underground building, said one person familiar with his findings.