GOP Senators Slam Leaked Iran Airstrike Reports as Inaccurate, Politically Driven

Republican senators are pushing back hard against leaked reports that downplayed the impact of U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them inaccurate and politically charged. Authorized by President Donald Trump, the strikes targeted key sites like Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, with 14 bunker-buster bombs reportedly causing significant damage. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, dismissed the leaks, stating, "The evidence is clear: the damage was overwhelming." He suggested a political agenda drove the initial reports, which claimed the strikes only set Iran’s nuclear program back by months.

At a NATO summit press conference in The Hague, Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth slammed media outlets for spreading "fake news" and cited an Israeli Atomic Energy Commission statement asserting the Fordow facility was "totally inoperable" after the strikes. The statement claimed the attack set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back years, not months, potentially indefinitely if nuclear materials remain out of reach.

A classified briefing on Thursday offered senators a clearer picture. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called the leaked reports a deliberate attempt to "undermine Trump", describing them as based on incomplete early assessments rather than full intelligence. He criticized media outlets for running with the story despite knowing better. Even some Democrats, like Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., expressed cautious optimism, noting the strikes’ limited scope and potential to significantly delay Iran’s nuclear program, though she emphasized negotiation as the long-term solution.

However, not all Democrats were convinced. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., labeled the strikes a "clear violation of the Constitution", arguing Trump’s actions dragged the U.S. deeper into conflict. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., remained vague, acknowledging the strikes’ destructive impact but noting uncertainties about Iran’s next moves.

The debate underscores the contentious divide over Trump’s Iran strategy, with Republicans framing the strikes as a decisive blow and critics questioning their legality and long-term impact.