Administration comments on the information source for early evaluation of Iran strikes

According to White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt, those responsible for leaking early assessments related to the U.S. military strike on Iran’s nuclear facility will be held accountable. President Donald Trump, along with other leaders, asserts that the strike successfully eliminated three Iranian nuclear sites.

However, a report from the Defense Intelligence Reporting Agency surfaced, suggesting that the strike actually only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a matter of months. This information was highlighted by CNN and the New York Times, which referenced seven individuals involved in the findings. The assessment stemmed from a combat damage evaluation conducted by U.S. Central Command.

Leavitt contested the validity of this early report, labeling it as “wrong.” She stated, “Everyone knows what happens when you drop a 30,000-pound bomb directly on your target: it creates complete destruction.”

On a related note, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses mentioned that the FBI is looking into who leaked documents to the media.

Leavitt emphasized that leaking classified information is a serious offense and that anyone who does so should face repercussions. “This administration is committed to preventing sensitive intelligence from falling into irresponsible hands,” she remarked. Additionally, she mentioned that only a limited number of government officials had access to the review, and the individual responsible for sharing it was acting carelessly. There’s a need to strengthen processes to preserve national security and safeguard the public.

Reports from the U.S., Israel, and Iranian foreign ministries indicate that the sites targeted by the U.S. military sustained significant damage.

Ismail Baghhai, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, told Al Jazeera that the nation’s nuclear facilities were “devastated,” while an Israeli nuclear commission referred to the U.S. attack as “devastating.” Chief of Staff Dan Kane communicated that the initial damage assessment revealed severe destruction at all three sites.

Trump warned Iran on Wednesday that if it attempted to restore its nuclear program, the U.S. would not hesitate to strike again. He also criticized one reporter for covering the story related to the initial assessment, claiming they should be reprimanded immediately.

CNN defended its reporter, Natasha Bertrand, expressing full support for her journalism. The network stated that the report highlighted information that could evolve with further intelligence and insisted that it had thoroughly explored Trump’s skepticism regarding the situation.