President Donald Trump recently criticized major media outlets, CNN and The New York Times, for what he called "fake news" regarding U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. This statement came during the NATO Summit in The Netherlands, where he addressed the success of the operations conducted over the weekend.
Trump claimed that the strikes targeted key sites in Iran, specifically at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, and described them as a "very successful" mission that resulted in "complete total destruction" of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities. He expressed frustration with the media’s portrayal of the strikes, stating, "CNN turned out to be fake news, as always. I swear they have no credibility."
The controversy began when both CNN and The New York Times published reports suggesting that the strikes did not significantly damage Iran’s nuclear program. CNN’s report cited a preliminary assessment from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, which indicated that the strikes likely only set back Iran’s nuclear efforts by a few months. The New York Times echoed this sentiment, stating that while the strikes sealed off entrances to some facilities, they did not collapse the underground structures.
Trump defended the pilots involved in the operation, stating that they deserved respect and recognition for their bravery. He argued that the negative media coverage was unfair to them, saying, "Those pilots were so brave. I’ve never seen anything like it." He accused CNN and The New York Times of fabricating stories to attract attention.
In response to Trump’s comments, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer emphasized that the network was not criticizing the military but rather reporting on the assessments from the Pentagon. He expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by U.S. military personnel.
The debate over the effectiveness of the strikes continues, with experts weighing in on the potential impact. Some believe the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear sites was significant enough to hinder their nuclear ambitions, while others remain skeptical about the long-term consequences.
As the situation develops, Trump maintains that the mission was a success, while the media continues to scrutinize the administration’s claims.