U.S. Reporter Clashes with Defense Secretary Hegseth Over Iran Strike Claims
A heated exchange erupted at the Pentagon on June 26 between U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin—former colleagues—over conflicting claims surrounding the recent “Night Hammer” airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Speaking to reporters, Secretary Hegseth asserted there was “no evidence” that Iran had evacuated its stockpile of highly enriched uranium before the U.S. airstrikes targeted the Fordow nuclear facility. “We haven’t seen any intel indicating material was moved,” he said.
Griffin challenged that assessment, citing satellite imagery. “Are you certain all or part of Iran’s 60% enriched uranium was still at Fordow? We’ve seen satellite images showing heavy truck activity near the site two days before the strikes,” she asked.
In response, Hegseth dismissed her line of questioning sharply. “Jennifer, you’re the worst—consistently twisting what the President says,” he said. He accused mainstream media of downplaying what he called a successful strike due to bias against President Trump.
Griffin pushed back, reminding the room she was the first journalist to report on the exposed ventilation shafts at Fordow on the night of June 21. “And I reported many operational details with a high degree of accuracy,” she added.
Still, Hegseth doubled down, praising the mission’s secrecy. “You’ve essentially acknowledged this was the most sophisticated and classified strike the Pentagon has conducted since your time here. I appreciate you recognizing that,” he said.
Fox News senior analyst Brit Hume later criticized Hegseth’s attack on Griffin, calling it “unfair and unprofessional.”
The U.S. launched the airstrikes early on June 22 as part of a broader push to end hostilities between Iran and Israel. Shortly after the campaign, President Trump announced a ceasefire had been brokered. Both Iran and Israel accepted the terms and declared themselves victors.
Washington and Tel Aviv insist the strikes dealt a major blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, setting back any potential atomic weapons program by years. Trump and White House officials have also claimed Iran was unable to move its uranium stores in time.
But leaked U.S. intelligence tells a more cautious story. A preliminary assessment suggests the operation may have delayed Tehran’s nuclear progress by only a few months. Commercial satellite images have not provided a clear answer as to whether Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles survived the attack.
Some experts believe Iran may have secretly relocated much of its 60% enriched uranium prior to the airstrikes. Unusual activity captured by satellite near Fordow on June 19–20, including lines of trucks at the entrance, has fueled that speculation.
An Iranian source told Reuters that the majority of the enriched uranium had already been transferred to an undisclosed location before the attacks. Financial Times, citing European intelligence, reported that Iran’s stockpile remained “largely intact.”
(Sources: Al Jazeera, Associated Press)
