The leak infuriated Donald Trump and top defense officials, who argued the intelligence report was incomplete and prematurely publicised.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday accused congressional Democrats of leaking classified information related to recent military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities—and called for their prosecution.
Speaking from the East Room of the White House, Trump posted on Truth Social:
“The Democrats are the ones who leaked the information on the PERFECT FLIGHT to the Nuclear Sites in Iran. They should be prosecuted.”
He did not provide any evidence to support the claim.
Tensions Rise Over Operation Midnight Hammer
The controversy stems from a leak of a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment suggesting that Operation Midnight Hammer—a series of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites—may not have inflicted as much damage as the administration originally claimed.
The report, made public earlier this week, stated that key Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz were damaged but not fully disabled. A third strike targeted Isfahan using Tomahawk cruise missiles. These strikes followed Israel’s own air campaign on June 13 against Iranian nuclear scientists and infrastructure.
White House Pushes Back
The Trump administration swiftly dismissed the leaked findings as incomplete and misleading. It accused unnamed individuals of trying to undermine what it called a “historic military success.” In response, the White House announced tighter restrictions on how classified intelligence is shared with Congress, prompting backlash from Democrats who argue the administration is trying to evade oversight.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down Thursday, calling the strikes “one of the most successful operations in United States history.” She accused CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand—who broke the story—of being manipulated by anti-Trump forces inside the government.
CNN defended Bertrand and said it stands by her reporting.
Trump and Allies Slam Media
Trump also lashed out at media coverage of the leaked report.
“The journalists involved should be fired,” he declared.
At a Pentagon press conference, senior advisor Pete Hegseth echoed the president’s outrage.
“This is about sabotaging a victory,” he said. “They leaked the story to make the strike look less effective than it was.”
Hegseth criticized what he described as “fawning coverage” from outlets like CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times, claiming the leak was politically motivated.
Background: Iran Strike and Fallout
The U.S. strikes came after weeks of escalating tension and failed diplomatic talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement, which Trump withdrew from during his first term.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but Washington and its allies argue Tehran has long sought to develop nuclear weapons.
The escalating conflict—fueled by Israeli action and U.S. involvement—has deepened political divisions at home, with Trump’s critics accusing him of bypassing Congress and politicizing intelligence.
Meanwhile, Operation Midnight Hammer remains under scrutiny, not just for its military impact but also for how the U.S. government handles information in a deeply polarized political climate.
