Pentagon Weighs Future Iran Strikes as Initial Bombing Falls Short, Hegseth Says

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that the U.S. military could carry out further strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if current intelligence evaluations reveal that recent attacks did not achieve significant damage. During a briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth discussed findings from a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) analysis, which indicated that the recent strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities might have only postponed Iran’s nuclear program by a few months instead of eliminating critical capabilities.

“Actually, the report that was discussed, this preliminary report, was called a ‘restrike report,’” Hegseth stated, clarifying that it’s standard military procedure to assess whether targets require further engagement. He expressed concern over the unauthorized release of the preliminary DIA assessment, stating that it jeopardized operational security, while also confirming that evaluations are still ongoing.

Prominent media organizations, such as CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, covered the DIA’s findings earlier this week. Hegseth highlighted that the preliminary evaluation carries “low confidence” and recognized existing intelligence gaps, noting that it will require weeks of data gathering to arrive at a conclusive judgment regarding the effectiveness of the strikes.

A U.S. official responded to inquiries about potential military actions, stating to Task & Purpose that “assessments are ongoing.” The Pentagon is keeping options available for all scenarios but refrained from speculating on future operations.

Hegseth maintained that the early air and missile strikes were “highly successful” in light of the DIA report, highlighting the accuracy of the operations. He emphasized that the Pentagon's planning process consistently considers the necessity to reevaluate and possibly act on initial strikes to guarantee that mission objectives are completely met.

Recent events unfold against a backdrop of increased tensions in the region, as U.S. officials consider strategies to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions while avoiding a wider conflict.

‍