Hegseth to address leaked Iran damage assessment
Share this @internewscast.com


() The Trump administration has gone on the offensive over a “leaked” intelligence report contradicting the White House’s claims about damage caused by U.S. strikes in Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will hold a news briefing at 8 a.m. EDT, in which Hegseth will discuss the report and “fight for the dignity of our great American pilots,” according to President Donald Trump.

While Trump has claimed “Operation Midnight Hammer” obliterated Iran’s nuclear program, a preliminary report from the Defense Intelligence Agency said the strikes set back Iran by only a few months.

In a statement to , the DIA called its report a “preliminary, low confidence assessment” and clarified officials “have still not been able to review the actual physical sites themselves, which will give us the best indication.”

Trump has blasted CNN, the New York Times and other outlets as “fake news” for reporting on the assessment, and Trump and Hegseth have claimed the report and its coverage disparaged U.S. military personnel involved in the attacks.

The DIA report did not take aim at military personnel it simply outlined what worked, and what didn’t, in the airstrikes.

Still, the administration is doubling down.

“There was a total and complete obliteration of Iran’s nuclear facilities,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “And because of the president’s strike, because of the precision of our United States military and this perfectly executed mission, Iran no longer has the capability to produce a nuclear weapon as imminently as they did prior to the strike.”

Senators are scheduled to receive a classified briefing Wednesday afternoon about the operation.

“Now, they’re trying to get away with sending only the secretary of state and defense … instead of the usual intelligence officials who attend the briefings,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., regarding the briefing.

He said the pair of top Trump officials would provide a “woefully insufficient” briefing.

“If they are the only ones in attendance, they will only parrot whatever the president wants them to say,” Schumer said.

Senior officials from the CIA and National Intelligence have said new intelligence shows the strikes did far more damage than originally reported.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Individual with Outstanding Warrant Detained at Union Primary School, According to Sheriff’s Office

BIG STONE GAP, Va. (WJHL) – Authorities apprehended an individual at Union…

Trump Votes by Mail in Florida as He Urges Congress to Restrict Mail-In Voting

In the latest twist of political irony, President Donald Trump has once…

Alleged Shooter in Rihanna Home Incident Faces Court: Attempted Murder Charges Loom

LOS ANGELES – A Florida woman, facing charges of attempted murder against…

Cancer Nurse Transitions to Archbishop, Marking Historic Election as First Female Leader of the Church of England

LONDON – In a historic moment for the Church of England, Sarah…

Controversial Bahrain UN Proposal Sparks Debate Over Strait of Hormuz Access

The United Nations Security Council is currently debating a resolution that seeks…

Traffic Disruption on I-26 Eastbound in Kingsport Due to Interchange Collision

In Kingsport, Tennessee, a significant traffic disruption unfolded on Tuesday as a…

Greeneville Board of Education Appoints Drinnon as New Director of Schools, Ushering in a New Era of Educational Leadership

In Greeneville, Tennessee, a significant decision was made by the Greeneville Board…

Jewish Communities Enhance Security Measures and Maintain Traditions in Response to Increasing Hate Incidents

On Tuesday, law enforcement officials revealed their proactive measures to address and…

Melania Trump Brings Global Leaders and Tech Experts Together for Children’s Education and Tech Summit

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Melania Trump made a compelling call for international…