Trump’s Middle East Envoy Condemns Leaked Intelligence on Iran Strike
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has openly criticized a leaked intelligence assessment that questions the effectiveness of President Donald Trump’s military strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, branding the leak as ‘treasonous.’ During an appearance on the Fox News program ‘The Ingraham Angle,’ Witkoff called for a comprehensive investigation into the leak, emphasizing that the person or persons responsible should be held accountable. ‘Leaking this type of information — whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on — is outrageous,’ Witkoff said, warning that it could have grave consequences for national security.
The controversial assessment, which was reported by CNN, suggested that the initial U.S. strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan failed to destroy key parts of Iran’s nuclear program, significantly reducing the impact of the operation. The report claimed that the strikes may have only delayed Iran’s nuclear development for several months, rather than the years-long delay that the Trump administration had previously promised. This discrepancy has led to significant tension within the U.S. government, with some officials standing by their original assessments while others remain uncertain about the true impact of the strikes.
‘Well, it goes without saying that leaking that type of information — whatever the information, whatever side it comes out on — is outrageous. It’s treasonous,’ Witkoff said Tuesday on ‘The Ingraham Angle,’ reiterating his stance that the leak should be investigated. He warned that such actions could endanger lives in the future, highlighting the severe risks posed by leaking sensitive intelligence during high-stakes operations.
The leaked assessment is believed to originate from the Defense Intelligence Agency, which initially reported that the strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan did not destroy the key components of Iran’s nuclear program nor the stockpile of highly enriched uranium. However, the administration’s response has been swift and strong, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Witkoff both insisting that the strikes were a resounding success. ‘Our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons,’ Hegseth stated in a public statement, while Witkoff added that there was no doubt the attacks achieved their objectives.
Despite these strong assertions, the military’s official evaluation of the damage to the targeted sites remains incomplete. Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that while the initial damage assessment is promising, a complete evaluation will take time. ‘Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons,’ Caine said, indicating that the administration is committed to a full evaluation.
As tensions continue to rise, the White House has announced that lawmakers will receive a classified briefing on the operation’s results, which could offer clearer insights into the success of the mission. The situation underscores the delicate balance between national security and the transparency of sensitive intelligence, with Witkoff’s comments reinforcing the administration’s stance on the importance of safeguarding classified information during critical operations.