Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt snapped at reporters while defending President Trump’s claim that "Operation Midnight Hammer" destroyed Iran’s nuclear program after a senior envoy appeared to contradict that assessment. Leavitt accused the media of "sensationalist reporting," reiterated that the mission was "overwhelmingly successful," and cited claimed verification by the IAEA. President Trump also denied reports that his military commander had reservations and emphasized that any decision to use force would be his alone amid a major U.S. force buildup near Iran.
Leavitt Snaps as White House Grapples With Conflicting Claims Over ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’
Karoline Leavitt speaks to press outside of the White House about Iran. / YouTube/ Fox
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt snapped at reporters outside the White House on Tuesday as journalists pressed her about contradictory accounts of the Trump administration’s June strike on Iranian nuclear sites, known as "Operation Midnight Hammer." Instead of reconciling the differing narratives, Leavitt defended the president’s version of events, criticized media coverage, and reiterated that President Trump remains the ultimate decision-maker on any escalation with Iran.
Karoline Leavitt backed President Donald Trump's claims on Iran's nuclear capabilities. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images
What sparked the controversy: President Trump has repeatedly celebrated the covert operation, claiming it "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear program. Over the weekend, however, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff appeared to undercut that claim during a Fox News interview by suggesting Iran might still be "probably a week away" from obtaining industrial-grade bomb-making material.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly bragged about the successful operation against Iran's nuclear facilities. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images
Leavitt’s Response
When reporters pressed her about the apparent contradiction, Leavitt declined to address Witkoff’s remarks directly. She called the mission "overwhelmingly successful," repeated the administration’s claim that the strike had effectively destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities, and said the assessment had been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — a claim she framed as the official view endorsed by the White House.
Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff gave conflicting statements to the Trump administration on Iran's nuclear facilities. / Win McNamee / Getty Images
"I’ve seen a lot of sensationalist reporting over the past day that is just completely untrue," Leavitt said, visibly frustrated. She also criticized anonymous sourcing and warned that anyone "pretending to know what President Trump is thinking or a decision he will make… has no idea what they’re talking about!"
Trump’s Reaction
On Monday, President Trump took to Truth Social to denounce what he called the "Fake News Media," rejecting reports that Gen. Daniel Caine — the military commander credited with leading Operation Midnight Hammer — had reservations about going to war with Iran. Trump insisted those reports were "100 percent incorrect" and reiterated that any decision to use force would be his alone.
Broader Context
The dispute comes as the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the region, a deployment described by officials as the largest buildup near Iran since the 2003 Iraq War. That buildup, combined with mixed messaging from senior administration officials, has fueled concern among analysts and lawmakers that tensions could escalate.
Leavitt insisted that diplomacy remains the president’s first option but warned that the administration stands ready to use "the lethal force of the United States military if necessary." The White House did not provide additional details, and The Daily Beast has reached out for comment.
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