Pete Hegseth accuses media of undermining Iran strikes

In the context of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a press conference to address the impact of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. He expressed strong disagreement with a leaked assessment suggesting that the operations had only minimally hindered Iran's nuclear program. Hegseth criticized the media for portraying the strikes as unsuccessful, emphasizing that the military efforts had made significant advancements against Iran's nuclear capabilities. The strikes involved B-2 stealth bombers and were part of Operation Midnight Hammer, which was labeled a complex and historic military operation by Hegseth. During his briefing, Hegseth highlighted that, contrary to some early media reports and intelligence assessments, the U.S. strikes had effectively damaged key Iranian nuclear facilities, increasing the time needed for Iran to develop nuclear weapons. He stated that the U.S. military had succeeded in damaging Iran's nuclear program much more substantially than the preliminary intelligence suggested. There was also an argument made about the need for patience regarding bomb damage assessments, which often take considerable time to evaluate accurately after military operations. Hegseth emphasized that while the press focused on any negative interpretations of the strikes, such as those arguing they merely set back Iran's nuclear ambitions by months, much of the evidence indicates a longer-term impact. He noted that claims of only temporary setbacks neglect the complexities of the strike and the broader context of military assessment processes. Hegseth argued that the military's operations deserve recognition rather than being undermined by media narratives. Additionally, Hegseth's comments reflected a wider narrative among some in the Trump administration aiming to portray the strikes as a decisive success amid ongoing political debates over U.S. military interventions. The ongoing conflict and negotiation with Iran are critical to U.S. foreign policy, and the framing of military successes or failures can significantly shape public opinion and subsequent political actions. The administration stresses the importance of the strikes as paving the way toward peace and imposing limits on Iran's nuclear capabilities.