US Defense Secretary Defends Iran Nuclear Strikes Amid Media Disputes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly criticized the mainstream media for allegedly spreading false reports about the effectiveness of the U.S. bombing operation on Iran’s nuclear sites, accusing journalists of rooting against President Donald Trump and the military's success. Trump has claimed the raid was a complete demolition of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while some early intelligence leaks suggested otherwise, fueling a contentious media debate. General Dan Caine confirmed that the bunker-buster bombs performed as expected against multiple targets, but the true measure of success depends on Iran's subsequent actions regarding their nuclear ambitions. This controversy has become politically charged, with analysts highlighting that the real questions are whether Iran will abandon its nuclear program or intensify it, and how soon they might recover nuclear capabilities if they choose to continue. Critics have also questioned the prudence of publicly detailing secret mission details, underscoring ongoing concerns about operational security. Overall, the discussion illustrates deep divisions in interpreting and reporting on a significant military and foreign policy event during President Trump's administration.