White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump’s claims regarding military success against Iran, responding to a CBS News report that challenged the administration’s narrative.

CBS News Report Details Iran's Military Strength

The CBS News investigation, based on briefings from multiple U.S. officials, indicates that Iran’s military capabilities remain significantly more robust than publicly stated by the Trump administration and the Pentagon. Approximately half of Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile and launch systems are still operational since the ceasefire began on April 7th.

Contradicting Administration Claims

This directly contradicts assertions made by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the complete or near-complete destruction of Iran’s missile program. The report also highlights that around 60 percent of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ naval forces remain intact, including their fleet of fast-attack gunboats.

White House Response and Allegations

Leavitt responded via a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing “the legacy media” of misrepresenting the facts. She asserted that under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. military had “decimated the Iranian regime’s capabilities in just 38 days.”

Claims of Extensive Destruction

Leavitt further claimed Iran’s defense industrial base was “almost completely destroyed,” and its ability to produce ballistic missiles and long-range drones had been “set back by years.” She stated that “the vast majority of Iran’s ballistic missiles, launcher vehicles, and long-range attack drones were destroyed,” and that “the Iranian navy was annihilated with more than 150 of their ships sunk,” and that “Iran’s air forces are functionally and operationally irrelevant now.”

Stalled Peace Talks and Ongoing Tensions

The discrepancy between the administration’s public statements and intelligence gathered by its own officials raises questions about transparency regarding “Operation Epic Fury.” Peace talks in Islamabad, led by Vice President JD Vance, collapsed after Iranian officials refused to participate unless the U.S. lifted its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

Ceasefire Extension and Future Outlook

President Trump announced an indefinite extension of the halt in attacks, stating the U.S. would refrain from further military action until Iran’s leaders presented “a unified proposal.” Defense Secretary Hegseth previously stated Iran’s missile program was “functionally destroyed,” and the U.S. would continue to target Iranian “fast attack ships.” The ongoing tension and conflicting reports underscore the precariousness of the situation and the potential for renewed conflict.