Did Trump Accuse Democrats of Leaking Intelligence on Iran Strikes?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Trump accused Democrats of leaking damaging intelligence.
- Recent US airstrikes on Iran may not have fully achieved their goals.
- Leaked information raises national security concerns.
- Accountability is sought for those who mishandle classified data.
- CIA claims significant damage was done to Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
Washington, June 27 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has accused the Democratic Party of leaking a classified intelligence report that undermines his administration's assertions that recent US airstrikes have “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.
“The Democrats are the ones who leaked the information on the PERFECT FLIGHT to the Nuclear Sites in Iran. They should be prosecuted!” Trump stated on Truth Social on Friday.
This accusation came after a report from the US Defence Intelligence Agency, revealed by CNN and the New York Times, indicated that the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have only postponed the nuclear program by a few months, with much of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile relocated prior to the airstrikes.
On Wednesday, Trump criticized both media outlets for their leaks.
“Fake news CNN, along with the failing New York Times, have colluded in an effort to undermine one of the most successful military operations in history. The nuclear sites in Iran are entirely destroyed! Both the Times and CNN are facing backlash from the public,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
In a press briefing on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that those responsible for leaking the preliminary assessment regarding the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities “need to be held accountable for that crime.”
“This administration is committed to ensuring that classified intelligence does not fall into irresponsible hands and that those who have access to top-secret information act responsibly,” Leavitt remarked.
She added, “Clearly, someone who had access to this report, which was seen by very few individuals in our government, acted irresponsibly. We need to investigate this matter thoroughly to uphold our national security and safeguard the American public.”
CIA Director John Ratcliffe emphasized that the agency has gathered “a body of credible evidence” indicating significant damage to Iran's nuclear infrastructure from the recent US airstrikes, supporting the White House's claim that Tehran's atomic ambitions have been severely hindered.
Ratcliffe stated on Wednesday without revealing specifics that the intelligence was derived from “a historically reliable source/method” and suggested that “several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and will require years to rebuild.”
While it was unclear whether Ratcliffe's comments reflected a formal agency assessment or his personal interpretation, they highlighted the intelligence community's ongoing evaluation of the effects of the coordinated US strikes on Iran's Natanz, Fordow, and Esfahan sites.
The CIA's comments were a counterpoint to an earlier preliminary analysis by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), which suggested that the airstrikes had not fully destroyed critical components of Iran's nuclear program.