Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth passionately defended the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, labeling them a triumph and condemning the media for their reporting on initial intelligence suggesting the strikes didn’t completely dismantle Iran’s enrichment facilities.
Hegseth’s Critique of Media Coverage
During a press conference, Hegseth, a former Fox News contributor, launched a scathing attack on CNN, The New York Times, and other media outlets. He accused them of distorting a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency report that implied the strikes only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months. Hegseth asserted that the media’s bias against President Donald Trump influenced their coverage, leading them to question the effectiveness of the strikes.
He criticized outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times for sensationalizing the preliminary assessment, emphasizing that the mission had been a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Response to Intelligence Reports
While acknowledging that some components of Iran’s nuclear program remained intact, Hegseth dismissed the significance of the leaked intelligence report, which had been labeled as having ‘low confidence.’ He suggested that the leak was intended to undermine the success of the strike.
He also confirmed investigations by the Pentagon and FBI into the breach, pointing out that the leak was likely motivated by an agenda to discredit the operation.
Operational Details and Reactions
The U.S. launched Operation Midnight Hammer targeting Iran’s key nuclear sites with advanced weaponry. Hegseth highlighted the mission’s success, contrasting with Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine’s more measured assessment of the operation.
Caine commended the troops involved in the planning and execution of the attack, emphasizing the extensive preparation and intelligence gathering that preceded the strikes.
Political Fallout and Congressional Response
The strikes sparked political debates, with top intelligence chiefs asserting that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been ‘destroyed.’ Lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of prior consultation, with Democrats accusing the administration of manipulating intelligence to justify the strikes.
House Armed Services ranking member Adam Smith criticized the administration’s portrayal of the strikes as a swift resolution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, highlighting the complexities of the situation.
Throughout the briefing, Hegseth underscored the importance of the NATO summit’s defense spending commitments, lamenting that the media’s focus on controversy overshadowed this significant achievement.
