Leaked Intelligence Undermines White House Claims on Iran Airstrikes
New leaks from anonymous U.S. officials are raising questions about the true impact of recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran. The Washington Post reported this week that intercepted phone calls between Iranian leaders suggest the strikes caused less damage than publicly claimed by the White House.
According to four unnamed sources cited by the Post, Iranian officials in the intercepted calls described the airstrikes as “less devastating than they had expected.” The leaks follow a previous June 24 release of a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report suggesting Iran’s nuclear program was set back by only a few months—a report the White House has disputed.
That DIA assessment, also leaked, was labeled “low confidence,” a caveat omitted by many media outlets. The White House has condemned the release of classified material, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calling the reporting “shameful” and claiming the Iranian regime cannot accurately assess damage “under hundreds of feet of rubble.” She insisted Iran’s nuclear weapons program “is over.”
The Pentagon and FBI have confirmed an ongoing investigation to identify the source of the leaks, and President Trump recently suggested journalists might be pressured to reveal their sources. “They could find out easily,” Trump told Fox News, indicating possible steps to compel disclosure.
Despite conflicting intelligence, a clearer picture is beginning to emerge. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged significant damage to three nuclear facilities, according to The New York Times. On Iranian state TV, Araghchi said the sites had suffered “serious damage,” with ongoing assessments by Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization.
Opinions remain divided. While intercepted communications and the DIA report suggest limited impact, other sources—including the CIA, Israeli military, and international nuclear monitors—report extensive destruction. A retired U.S. Air Force general told Straight Arrow News that it may take months to fully assess the damage.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared “victory” over the U.S. and Israel, claiming America intervened directly to save its ally but achieved nothing. Former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the media for “cheering against Trump” and undermining military success, calling the ongoing leaks “irresponsible.”
