Defense Secretary Critiques Media Coverage of Iran Strikes

During a press conference on June 26, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed strong disapproval of mainstream media’s portrayal of a recent U.S. military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. He accused reporters of focusing on negative narratives about President Donald Trump instead of recognizing what he called a “historically successful attack.”

Hegseth also took issue with a leaked preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which suggested that the U.S. airstrikes might have only delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions by a few months.

“You, the press, specifically you, the press corps, cheer against Trump so hard,” Hegseth remarked. “It’s almost in your DNA to want him to fail, which prompts you to doubt the effectiveness of these strikes.”

He asserted that the media’s handling of the leaked report was an attempt to “spin” information to sway public opinion.

“Perhaps the representation of the Trump administration isn’t accurate. There seems to be a tendency to take half-truths and leaked information and, well, spin it in ways that create doubt,” Hegseth stated. “This undermines the achievements of our exceptionally skilled pilots who set back a nuclear program in ways that past administrations would have envied.”

The military strikes, conducted on the previous Saturday, reportedly targeted three key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, known as “bunker busters.”

President Trump followed up Hegseth’s remarks, criticizing outlets like the “Failing New York Times” and “Fake News CNN” for reportedly misleading information regarding the Iran nuclear sites.

He described Hegseth’s press conference as “one of the greatest, most professional, and most ‘confirming’ News Conferences I have ever seen,” suggesting that journalists involved in the coverage should be held accountable.

Moreover, the President addressed speculations about evacuations at the nuclear facility as satellite images showed trucks outside the location before the attack.

“Those vehicles were likely concrete workers trying to cover up shafts. Nothing was removed from the facility; it would take too long and be too risky,” he clarified.