Hegseth announces new intel on US bombing Iran, criticizes media for pushing preliminary report

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at a Pentagon press conference on Thursday, defended the U.S. military’s recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, asserting that the operation “devastated” Iran’s nuclear ambitions. 

He emphasized that the strikes, part of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” targeted only nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and did not aim at Iranian troops or civilians. 

Hegseth praised President Donald Trump’s leadership, calling the mission “bold” and “brilliant,” and highlighted the skill of American pilots who flew 36 hours through enemy territory. 

After mainstream media sources reported on the initial Defense Intelligence Agency report, he took aim at outlets like The New York Times and CNN for what he called “fake news” that misrepresented the operation’s success, demeaning the pilots involved. 

Hegseth cited the United Nations' Atomic Energy Commission as calling the damage "enormous." He also pointed to CIA Director John Ratcliff saying Iran's nuclear program has been "severely damaged."

In a particularly pointed moment, Hegseth looked at the media and said, "You, and I mean specifically YOU, the press, you cheer against Trump so hard, it's in your DNA and in your blood to cheer against Trump, because you want him not to be successful so bad, you have to cheer against the efficacy of these strikes. You have to hope maybe they weren't effective."

Hegseth also warned Iran that any forceful retaliation would prompt a U.S. response “significantly exceeding” the initial strikes. He underscored that the U.S. does not seek war but is prepared to act decisively to protect American interests and allies.  
 

Hegseth hailed the men and women who carried out the mission and questioned press coverage, asking, "How many stories have been written about how hard it is to, I don't know, fly a plane for 36 hours? Has MSNBC done that story? Has Fox?  Have we done the story how hard that is?"