A criminal investigation has been launched as leftist media outlets attempt to undermine President Trump’s successful military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities through leaked classified intelligence.
Key Takeaways
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed an FBI-led criminal investigation into the leak of classified intelligence regarding U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
- The leaked Defense Intelligence Agency assessment was described as “preliminary” and with “low confidence,” yet was weaponized by media outlets like CNN to discredit President Trump’s successful operation.
- Trump administration officials maintain the strikes were highly effective, with Secretary Hegseth stating the bombing campaign “obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons.”
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised President Trump’s leadership in both securing a ceasefire and maintaining control over Iran’s nuclear progression.
Criminal Investigation Launched Over Leaked Intelligence
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the Pentagon has initiated a criminal investigation in coordination with the FBI following the unauthorized disclosure of classified intelligence regarding recent U.S. military strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The investigation was confirmed during a NATO gathering in The Hague, where Hegseth expressed frustration over media outlets’ portrayal of a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment that suggested the strikes had limited effectiveness in neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“We’re doing a leak investigation with the FBI right now, because this information is for internal purposes, battle damage assessments, and CNN and others are trying to spin it to make the president look bad when it was an overwhelming success,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated.
⚠️ WARNING: This post contains descriptions of military strikes & potential nuclear proliferation.
An early US intelligence assessment indicates that the recent US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, & Isfahan) did not destroy the core… pic.twitter.com/wuhPXoTKEK
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) June 25, 2025
Administration Defends Operation’s Success
The Trump administration has strongly pushed back against the characterization of the military operation as ineffective. Seven B-2 bombers conducted precision airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, dropping 14 bunker buster bombs designed to penetrate deeply buried installations. President Trump described the operation as “very successful,” with reports indicating “moderate to severe” damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The strategic strike was part of a broader effort to eliminate Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons.
“Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target — and worked perfectly. The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the president and the successful mission,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also condemned the leak and its portrayal in the media, suggesting those responsible had political motives. “This is what a leaker is telling you what the intelligence says, that’s the game these people play. They read it and they go out and characterize it the way they want to characterize it the way they want it characterized and they’re leakers, this is the game they play,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated.
Disputed Intelligence Assessment
The leaked DIA assessment claimed that while the strikes caused extensive surface damage, the core components of Iran’s nuclear program remained largely intact, potentially only delaying Iran’s nuclear weapon development by 6 to 12 months. However, administration officials have emphasized that this assessment was preliminary, based on limited information, and carried a “low confidence” rating. Independent experts have offered conflicting analyses, with some supporting the administration’s claims of significant damage to key facilities.
“When you actually look at the report, by the way, it was a top secret report, it was preliminary, it was low confidence, you make assessments based on what you know. We’re doing a leak investigation with the FBI right now because this information is for internal purposes, battle damage assessments,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.
Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin corroborated the U.S. position, stating that the operation delivered a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear program. This assessment aligns with a report from the Institute for Science and International Security that found substantial damage to the targeted facilities. The conflicting evaluations highlight the challenges of accurately assessing damage to hardened underground installations, particularly in the immediate aftermath of military operations.
Diplomatic Success Follows Military Action
Following the military operation, President Trump successfully brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, ending twelve days of aerial strikes between the two nations. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised Trump’s leadership in securing this diplomatic victory while maintaining pressure on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The combination of decisive military action and skillful diplomacy has positioned the United States as a stabilizing force in the region while demonstrating resolve against the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
The ongoing investigation into the intelligence leak underscores the challenges the administration faces not only from external threats but also from internal efforts to undermine its national security initiatives. As the FBI proceeds with its investigation, the administration remains focused on maintaining the momentum of its successful military and diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, particularly in constraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions and promoting regional stability.
