Trump Rebukes Media Claims on Iran Strike, Accuses CNN and NYT of Spreading Misinformation
US President Donald Trump has strongly condemned CNN and The New York Times, accusing the media entities of disseminating "fake news" about the recent US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Trump’s statements came as a reaction to reports claiming that the operation, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," was not successful in destroying Iran’s critical nuclear sites.
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump declared, “FAKE NEWS CNN, TOGETHER WITH THE FAILING NEW YORK TIMES, HAVE TEAMED UP IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEMEAN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY STRIKES IN HISTORY. THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED! BOTH THE TIMES AND CNN ARE GETTING SLAMMED BY THE PUBLIC!”
Trump reinforced his assertion that the US military had fully dismantled Iran’s nuclear capacity, claiming “Iran will never be able to rebuild their nuclear facilities.” He praised the deployment of bunker-buster bombs, describing the mission as a landmark military triumph.
However, intelligence reports cited by CNN present a contrasting narrative. Initial evaluations by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and accounts from informed officials indicate that while the strikes inflicted substantial damage on surface-level facilities, they did not eliminate Iran’s subterranean enrichment apparatus. These assessments suggest merely a temporary hindrance to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, likely lasting only a few months.
CNN reported that despite utilizing B-2 bombers and over a dozen 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), the crucial underground components at Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan locations remained operational. It is also believed that enriched uranium reserves were transferred before the attack.
According to reports, Israel, which coordinated with the US in the operations, observed less damage than expected, particularly at the Fordow site. Initial projections had anticipated a delay of up to two years in Iran’s nuclear progression, but revised evaluations cast uncertainty on the long-term effectiveness of the strikes.
The media's portrayal and the differing accounts have intensified discussions in Washington concerning the actual impact of the strikes. While Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth insist the operation delivered a decisive blow, independent analysis and international perspectives advise caution.
This disagreement between the administration and the media underscores the escalating examination of military operation transparency and effectiveness, especially concerning nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
