US Officials Defend Iran Strike, Dispute Damage Assessment
Following the controversial strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, top US officials are vigorously defending the operation. They are disputing initial assessments that suggest the attacks failed to achieve their objectives. This comes amid claims of manipulated intelligence and accusations of leaks designed to undermine the mission’s success.
Defense of the Strikes
Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of Defense, defended the US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities. He declared that Donald Trump had “decimated… obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. This statement contradicts initial intelligence assessments. These indicated that key enrichment facilities remained intact. They could potentially resume operations within months.
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“Time and time again, classified information is leaked or peddled for political purposes to try to make the president look bad, and what’s really happening is you’re undermining the success of our incredible pilots.”
—Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense
In 2024, Iran was estimated to be just weeks away from producing enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon. The IAEA has stated that Iran’s stock of 60% enriched uranium is unaccounted for (IAEA Report).
Intelligence Disputes and AI Modeling
Hegseth and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen. Dan Caine, largely based their assessment on AI modeling. They showcased test videos of the “bunker buster” bombs employed in the strikes. Hegseth questioned the initial assessment from the Defense Intelligence Agency. He noted that it was “preliminary” and “leaked because someone had an agenda.”
Caine stated that the strikes were successful because they matched a Pentagon-developed model. This model predicted the destruction of the Fordow site. He detailed that the strikes targeted two ventilation shafts leading into the Fordow underground complex. Weapons were used to demolish concrete caps. Successive “bunker buster” bombs were aimed down the shafts.
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Hegseth and Caine’s briefing followed Trump’s questioning at a NATO summit. He criticized reporters for publishing the initial intelligence assessment. The report stated that the US strike, using 14 “bunker buster” bombs, might have only set back Iran’s nuclear program by months.
