Trump considers making journalists reveal sources behind Iran report leak

Donald Trump stated that he is considering compelling journalists who disclosed leaked information from a US intelligence report on the impact of recent American military strikes on Iran to disclose their sources. The president also mentioned that his administration might take legal action against both reporters and sources if they refuse to cooperate.

In an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Trump reiterated his belief that the airstrikes on June 21 successfully damaged Iran's nuclear program by targeting specific Iranian facilities. Despite Iran's claims that the enriched uranium stockpiles had been moved before the strikes, Trump insisted that the attacks had destroyed crucial materials.

Trump dismissed the leaked intelligence report, which suggested that the strikes only temporarily disrupted Iran's nuclear development, as biased and incomplete. The report, shared among US lawmakers and intelligence officials, contradicted the administration's public statements about the extent of the damage caused.

The president criticized Democratic lawmakers and media personnel for sharing parts of the classified analysis and warned of legal repercussions for those involved.

During the interview, Bartiromo mentioned a social media post by Trump where he accused Democrats of leaking information about the nuclear sites in Iran and called for their prosecution. Trump reiterated his stance that those responsible should face legal consequences.

Trump has recently targeted CNN and The New York Times for their coverage of the strikes, labeling it as unpatriotic and hinting at potential legal measures. Reports from the US's Defense Intelligence Agency suggested that the strikes had only limited success in delaying Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Trump has insisted that three nuclear facilities in Iran were completely destroyed, while Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Trump of exaggerating the success of the strikes to conceal the truth.

The president discussed potential actions his administration might take to identify the sources of the leak, indicating a willingness to compel reporters to reveal their sources in the name of national security.

Although journalists are generally protected by the US constitution from disclosing their sources, there are exceptions to this privilege. Trump had previously threatened legal action against CNN and The New York Times for their reporting on the intelligence report.

In a letter to The New York Times, Trump's lawyer demanded a retraction and apology for what was described as a false, defamatory, and unpatriotic article that damaged the president's reputation.

According to the source: The Guardian.