In a notable development on Sunday, the White House denounced CNN's report on the dissemination of information to Congress about the recent "Operation: Midnight Hammer" targeting Iranian nuclear sites. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt labeled the media outlet's coverage as "Fake News" and demanded a public retraction. The controversy emerged over allegations that Republican leaders were briefed in advance of the military operation, while Democratic counterparts were purportedly informed only at the eleventh hour.
Specifically, CNN reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune received prior notifications, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries were allegedly left in the dark until just before the public announcement. Leavitt's forceful rebuttal on the social media platform X accused CNN of inaccuracies, clarifying that Schumer was contacted before the strike and Jeffries was briefed thereafter, due to unavailability.
The operation, authorized by President Trump on Saturday, struck three critical Iranian nuclear installations, a move that was later confirmed as successful by an official White House statement. This military action has stoked international tensions, with former Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev warning that several countries might supply Iran with nuclear warheads in response to the U.S. strikes.
Criticism has also come from within the United States. Schumer and Jeffries have publicly opposed the action, condemning the lack of congressional authorization. Schumer has called for the invocation of the War Powers Act, expressing concern over the president's unilateral approach to such significant military decisions.
The situation is further complicated by CNN's claim that key intelligence committee members, such as Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Himes, both Democrats, were excluded from the briefings. This has raised questions about the transparency and inclusiveness of the administration's communication with Congress, particularly on issues of national security.
In the wake of the operation, the narrative around the U.S. strategy towards Iran is fraught with controversy. Medvedev's statements on social media suggest that the American offensive might have inadvertently strengthened Iran's regime, rallying citizens around their spiritual leadership. His assertion that the enrichment of nuclear materials and the potential production of nuclear weapons will continue poses a stark challenge to the intended effects of the U.S. military action.
The unfolding story highlights the complexity of geopolitical strategies and the critical importance of domestic and international communication. As the White House calls for a correction of the record, the world watches to see how these events will shape the future relationship between Iran, the U.S., and the broader international community.
