Trump and Pentagon Push Back Hard on Early Intel Saying Iran Strikes Were Limited
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn’t hold back Wednesday as they pushed back against early U.S. intelligence reports suggesting the recent airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities caused only limited damage. Both took aim at media coverage of the report, which they said unfairly disrespected the B-2 bomber pilots who carried out the mission.
At a press briefing just before leaving the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump expressed frustration over what he described as “fake news” stories undermining the mission’s success. He said the pilots were “devastated” by reports that the strikes hadn’t completely crippled Iran’s nuclear program — a claim he vehemently denied.
“I spoke to one of the pilots,” Trump told reporters. “He said, ‘Sir, we hit the site. It was perfect. It was dead on.’ These are incredible people putting their lives on the line.”
He wasn’t shy about defending the crews who flew those risky sorties over enemy airspace. “You should be praising those people instead of trying to find ways to get me,” Trump said, clearly irritated by the line of questioning. “You’re hurting those people.”
What the Intelligence Report Said
The Defense Intelligence Agency’s preliminary assessment, which surfaced earlier this week, concluded that the bombings of Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordo nuclear sites likely only delayed the country’s nuclear progress by a few months—not obliterated it. While the report stopped short of declaring a major setback, it acknowledged significant damage.
But Trump dismissed the report’s cautious tone, noting the intelligence was incomplete and emphasized that a full battle damage assessment would take more time, especially since no Western officials have been able to inspect the sites in person yet.
“The report said what it said and it was fine,” Trump said. “It was severe, they think, but they had no idea. They shouldn’t have issued a report until they had the full information. But we’ve got the real info.”
A Show of Support for the Pilots
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stood right beside the president and echoed those sentiments, stepping up to defend the crews involved. He didn’t just praise the pilots—he put the spotlight on the incredible skill, stamina, and courage it took to carry out the mission.
“These pilots, these refuelers, these fighters, these air defenders — the skill and courage it took to fly 36 hours into enemy territory on behalf of the American people to take out a nuclear program is beyond what anyone here can fathom,” Hegseth said, clearly fired up.
He also took a swipe at news outlets, accusing them of ignoring what the troops actually think. “The media doesn’t care what the troops think,” he added.
Trump’s Social Media Defense
Later in the day, Trump took to Truth Social to double down. He announced that Hegseth would hold a news conference Thursday morning “to fight for the dignity of our great American pilots.” Trump’s post was a fiery callout to the media, blaming them for trying to “demean” both the president and the servicemen.
“They felt terribly! Fortunately for them and, as usual, solely for the purpose of demeaning PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote. “The news conference will prove both interesting and irrefutable.”
Behind the Scenes: What the Pilots Say
According to Trump, the pilots themselves reached out from their base in Missouri after reading the initial reports and news coverage, sharing their disappointment. “They were devastated because they were trying to minimize the attack,” he said.
The president made it clear he stood by the crews and their mission’s success, reinforcing that they hit their targets “dead on.” For Trump, the mission wasn’t just a military operation — it was a point of national pride and proof of his administration’s strength.
Military and Intelligence Perspectives
Military officials have confirmed the strikes did cause significant damage to the Iranian sites, but emphasized that detailed damage assessments take time. The nature of the sites and the inability for Western inspectors to visit them mean final conclusions are still pending.
Trump also referenced an Israeli intelligence report claiming the strike on Fordo had destroyed critical infrastructure, leaving the enrichment facility completely inoperable.
Meanwhile, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard weighed in via X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday, saying bluntly, “Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed,” and also criticized the news media for their coverage.
Gabbard accused the media of selectively leaking parts of classified intelligence assessments without context, particularly the fact that the initial report came with “low confidence.” She claimed this was an effort to undermine Trump’s leadership and the troops who executed the mission.
Media vs. Messaging: The Battle Over the Narrative
The pushback from Trump and Hegseth isn’t just about the damage done in Iran — it’s about controlling the story. Both are clearly concerned that early intelligence leaks and media reports could undermine public perception of the mission’s success.
Hegseth argued that anyone who truly wants to understand what happened at Fordo will have to dig deep — “with a big shovel,” he said — because Iran’s nuclear program has been “obliterated.” He called out those behind the leaks for trying to downplay the results by suggesting the damage was only moderate.
What It Means Moving Forward
This clash over the intelligence assessment comes at a sensitive time. Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a hot-button issue, and the U.S. administration wants to present strength and decisive action. For Trump, boasting about the mission’s success also serves as a key talking point ahead of future policy discussions and public opinion battles.
But the cautious tone from intelligence experts reminds us that assessing the full impact of airstrikes — especially on something as complex and secretive as nuclear facilities — is rarely immediate or straightforward.
Key Takeaways:
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Trump defends B-2 bomber pilots fiercely, calling media coverage “fake news.”
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Defense Intelligence Agency’s preliminary report suggests only limited delay to Iran’s nuclear progress.
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Trump says report is incomplete and insists damage was severe and “obliterated” the program.
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Defense Secretary Hegseth praises the courage and skill of pilots and accuses media of ignoring troops’ views.
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard supports claim that Iran’s nuclear sites were destroyed.
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The administration plans a news conference to further defend the pilots’ mission and reputation.
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Experts caution that a full damage assessment will take time due to lack of direct site access.
In the end, the story is as much about perception as reality. Trump and his team want the world — and the American people — to see this strike as a knockout blow to Iran’s nuclear program, while intelligence assessments urge patience and caution. Meanwhile, the brave pilots at the center of the mission get caught in the middle, hailed as heroes by some, and questioned by others.
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