The White House is calling for accountability regarding a leaked assessment of recent U.S. military actions in Iran. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the leaker, describing their actions as "irresponsible." This comes after President Donald Trump indicated he is willing to conduct further strikes against Iran if the country resumes its nuclear program to a concerning level.
During a press briefing, Trump responded affirmatively when asked if he would consider additional military action, stating, "Sure. Without question, absolutely." He reiterated this stance at a NATO Summit in the Netherlands, emphasizing that the U.S. would not hesitate to act if Iran attempts to revive its nuclear ambitions.
On Saturday, the U.S. launched targeted strikes against key Iranian nuclear facilities, claiming significant success. Trump stated that the strikes left Iran’s nuclear sites "completely and totally obliterated." However, a subsequent leaked report from the Defense Intelligence Agency suggested that the strikes only delayed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months, raising questions about the effectiveness of the operation.
The military action involved over 125 U.S. aircraft, as confirmed by General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Following the strikes, both the U.S. and Israeli officials reported extensive damage to the targeted sites.
In the wake of the military operation, Trump criticized Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had declared victory over Israel. Trump claimed he had spared Khamenei from a potential death, asserting that he knew the leader’s location and chose not to act on it. He expressed a desire for Iran’s leadership to pursue peace rather than conflict, stating, "You often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR."
As the situation unfolds, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the FBI is investigating the leak of the military assessment to the media. The U.S. government is keen to identify who shared the information, which has stirred significant public and media attention. The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, coupled with the recent military actions, continue to shape the geopolitical landscape in the region.