The Trump administration is currently embroiled in a serious security breach, as officials conduct a manhunt for a suspected government employee who leaked top-secret intelligence. This report, originating from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and disclosed to CNN on Tuesday, casts doubt on the efficacy of recent U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
On Monday, American B-2 bombers targeted three key Iranian sites, including the Fordow enrichment facility, using advanced bunker-busting weapons. The DIA report, distributed just hours after the strikes, suggested that the operation may have only set back Iran's nuclear weapon development by months, rather than years, as was intended.
The unauthorized disclosure has prompted a swift reaction from the White House, with President Trump expressing his fury over the leak, especially as it threatened to undermine the public perception of the operation's success. Administration sources have criticized the report for its lack of coordination with other intelligence agencies and for excluding crucial information from the CIA and intercepted communications by the National Security Agency (NSA).
Despite the report's preliminary nature and limited scope, it was classified as "top secret." Intelligence officials have underscored that it was fundamentally incomplete, as it was compiled within a mere 24-hour window post-operation, preventing a thorough evaluation of the strikes' true effectiveness.
In response to the leak, CIA Director John Ratcliffe released the agency's own findings, which painted a more successful picture of the airstrikes. Ratcliffe cited intelligence indicating severe damage to Iran's nuclear capabilities, with some sources confirming that key facilities were destroyed and would require years to rebuild.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is leading the investigation into the leak, with the Justice Department expected to pursue maximum penalties against the perpetrator. The military operation marked a significant milestone as it was the first combat deployment of America's 30,000-pound bombs. The operation's secrecy was initially considered a key factor in its success.
President Trump, addressing the operation during the NATO summit in The Hague, revealed that 900 pounds of enriched uranium remains buried beneath the rubble at Fordow. He expressed confidence that Iran would abandon its nuclear ambitions following the devastating strikes. Trump also criticized media coverage, accusing journalists of downplaying the victory for American national security.
As the Trump administration prioritizes the prosecution of the leaker, sources confirm that the individual responsible will face criminal charges. This incident is one of several unauthorized disclosures investigated since January.
