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Iran Strikes, NATO Spending, and Rising Global Threats

27 June, 2025

Dr Ian Langford, Executive Director of Security & Defence PLuS, joined Sky News host Peta Credlin to assess the strategic implications of the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, rising NATO defence spending, and growing concerns over China’s posture in the Indo-Pacific. Responding to President Trump’s claim that the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capacity, Langford said:

 “It is fair to say that there has been significant structural damage to those key facilities, and more specifically the centrifuges that look to weaponise that material to deliver the Iranians their much-anticipated nuclear deterrent.”

Langford warned that Iran’s ability to rebuild its program depends on foreign support, referencing Russia, China, and North Korea:

 “The time that it will take Iran to recommence their plan will be largely dependent on how willing their allies are to assist them.”

Turning to NATO, Langford called the alliance’s unanimous vote to increase spending “extraordinary” and “a symptom of just how much the world has changed,” adding: “The peace dividend is now over.” On Australia’s defence outlook, Langford cautioned against delayed action:

“More needs to be done now so that we can manage the contingencies and risks likely to appear in our region.”

He also said:

 “The Chinese political rhetoric is clear vis-à-vis Taiwan… the security situation is at risk, and therefore Australia needs to plan accordingly.”

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