President Trump says U.S. officials will be talking with their Iranian counterparts next week in the wake of the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, but questions remain about the extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear program.

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Wednesday after a rocky start, giving rise to cautious hope that it could lead to a long-term peace agreement even as Tehran insists it will not give up its nuclear program.

When President Donald Trump sent U.S. bombers to strike Iran’s nuclear sites last weekend, he was betting he could help ally Israel cripple Tehran’s nuclear program while keeping his long-standing vow to avoid entanglement in a protracted war.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a televised message, after the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, in Tehran, Iran,. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran would respond to any future U.