Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine held a press conference at the Pentagon to address the leaks and provide updates on recent military operations. General Caine reported that intelligence indicated a potential Iranian attack on U.S. bases, prompting evacuation measures for personnel in the region.
Hegseth criticized media reporting on preliminary assessments of the strikes, noting that initial intelligence required weeks to compile and had not been coordinated with the broader intelligence community. He said the report contained gaps and relied on “linchpin assumptions,” which, if incorrect, could undermine the conclusions. Hegseth emphasized that the leak had created confusion, portraying the operation as less successful than it was.
He assured that detailed information on the strike’s impact would be presented by General Caine, based on professional military expertise. The Pentagon’s ongoing efforts aim to improve information security and ensure that unauthorized disclosures do not compromise national security or public understanding of military operations.
