Trump's Threats to Journalists Over Iran Strike Leaks

President Trump has been making bold statements lately, considering measures to compel journalists to reveal their sources regarding a leaked U.S. intelligence report. This report discusses the impact of recent U.S. military strikes on Iran's nuclear program. Trump is furious about the leak and has even hinted at prosecuting those involved.

Trump Defends Airstrikes on Iran

In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump defended the June 21st airstrikes on Iran, calling them a major success. He claimed the strikes caused serious damage to Iran's nuclear program, despite Iran's assertion that they moved their nuclear assets before the strikes. Trump dismissed the leaked report suggesting the strikes only temporarily slowed Iran's nuclear ambitions, calling it incomplete and biased.

Accusations Against Democrats and Media

Trump has accused Democratic lawmakers and the media of leaking parts of the classified report. He has even considered legal action against them. During the interview, Trump referenced a social media post where he accused Democrats of leaking the information and called for their prosecution. When asked who should be prosecuted, Trump cryptically replied, "You can find out – if they wanted, they could find out easily."

Targeting CNN and The New York Times

Trump has criticized CNN and The New York Times for their coverage of the strikes, labeling their reporting "unpatriotic" and hinting at legal action. These outlets, along with others, reported that the strikes had limited success, delaying but not destroying Iran's nuclear program.

Iran's Response and Trump's Claims

Meanwhile, Iran's leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accused Trump of exaggerating the success of the strikes to cover up the truth. Trump, however, insisted that three nuclear facilities were "obliterated." He also discussed potential efforts to identify the leakers, suggesting that journalists could be forced to disclose their sources.

Legal Protections for Journalists

In the U.S., journalists typically have the right to protect their sources, but there are limitations. Trump has even threatened to sue CNN and The New York Times for publishing articles about the preliminary intelligence report. His lawyer sent a letter to The New York Times, calling the article "false," "defamatory," and "unpatriotic," and demanding a retraction and apology.