US Defense Chief Fires Top Intel General Over Iran Strike Assessment

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), following the agency's preliminary intelligence assessment that the June U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites caused only limited damage. This assessment contradicted President Donald Trump's repeated claims that the strikes had completely and fully obliterated the facilities, leading to Trump's dissatisfaction and the eventual dismissal of Kruse. Alongside Kruse, Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore and Rear Admiral Milton Sands were also relieved of their positions without clear explanations. The firings are part of a broader pattern under President Trump’s administration involving the removal of senior military officials, fueling concerns among lawmakers that intelligence is being treated as a loyalty test rather than an objective safeguard. The June strikes, which involved extensive U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran's nuclear program, were described by Trump as a "spectacular military success," despite intelligence reports suggesting only a setback of a few months. The dismissals have sparked criticism from members of Congress who warn that politically motivated decisions are creating fear within the intelligence community.