{"id":2451914,"date":"2025-06-25T14:51:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T18:51:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ted-cruz-downplays-highly-dubious-leak-surrounding-strikes-on-iran\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T14:53:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T18:53:21","slug":"ted-cruz-downplays-highly-dubious-leak-surrounding-strikes-on-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ted-cruz-downplays-highly-dubious-leak-surrounding-strikes-on-iran\/","title":{"rendered":"Ted Cruz downplays \u2018highly dubious\u2019 leak surrounding strikes on Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fted-cruz-downplays-highly-dubious-leak-surrounding-strikes-on-iran%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2451914&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator Ted Cruz has downplayed a recent leak concerning <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >military strikes ordered<\/a> by President Donald Trump against three Iranian nuclear sites. The Defense Intelligence agency&#8217;s leaked assessment suggested that the damage from these strikes was less severe than what Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly claimed. Cruz characterized the leak as &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-of-taxpayer-funded-antiracist-group-funneled-nearly-300k-to-husbands-law-firm\/\" title=\"President of Taxpayer-Funded Antiracist Group Funneled Nearly 0K to Husband\u2019s Law Firm\">highly dubious<\/a>,&#8221; asserting that the 14 bunker-buster bombs used in the operation would undoubtedly cause important destruction. While an examination into the leak has been announced, Cruz indicated that a scheduled classified briefing on the matter has been rescheduled. He expects to inquire about the specifics of the strikes and thier effectiveness in an upcoming classified setting. The reported <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/syria-airstrikes-sent-very-strong-signal-pentagon-says\/\" title=\"Syria Air... Sent \u2018Very Strong Signal,\u2019 Pentagon Says\">strikes targeted<\/a> the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and other nuclear facilities, but as then, no further military actions or U.S. fatalities have been reported.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Ted Cruz downplays &lsquo;highly dubious&rsquo; leak surrounding strikes on Iran<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2157913\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ted-cruz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Ted Cruz<\/a> (R-TX) dismissed a leak regarding the strikes President <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a> ordered against three of Iran&rsquo;s nuclear sites.<\/p>\n<p>The Defense Intelligence Agency&rsquo;s early assessment of the strike&rsquo;s damage was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3452950\/us-strikes-only-set-iran-nuclear-program-back-months-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">leaked this week<\/a>, including its conclusion that less damage was inflicted than Trump&nbsp;and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly claimed. These strikes targeted the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and the Natanz and Isfahan&nbsp;nuclear facilities over the weekend. Trump said at the time that the three sites were &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3449992\/us-has-completed-bombing-of-iranian-nuclear-sites-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">totally obliterated<\/a>&rdquo; by 14 30,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-has-completed-bombing-of-iranian-nuclear-sites-trump-says\/\" title=\"US has \u2018completed\u2019 bombing of ..., ... says\">000-pound bunker-buster bombs<\/a> and 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3453369\/pete-hegseth-pentagon-intelligence-leak-investigation\/\">Pete Hegseth announces intelligence leak investigation as Pentagon hit with more controversy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3452950\/us-strikes-only-set-iran-nuclear-program-back-months-intelligence\/\">US strikes only set Iranian nuclear program back by months, intelligence suggests<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3452491\/trump-pick-lead-troops-europe-russia-ukraine-war-outcome\/\">Trump&#8217;s pick to lead troops in Europe says Ukraine can win war<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know the motivations behind that leak. I find the leak highly dubious,&rdquo; Cruz said on Fox News&rsquo;s <em>The Faulkner Focus<\/em> Wednesday. &ldquo;At the end of the day, we dropped a total of 14 bunker-buster bombs; each one of those is 30,000 pounds of explosives. They do devastating damage. They are the biggest non-nuclear bombs we have, and that effect on the face of it is going to be devastating. They were precise; they hit their targets.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share.php?id=3001118&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=10455&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=786ab6dab7b0a988f09e7406467aa146\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hegseth <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3453369\/pete-hegseth-pentagon-intelligence-leak-investigation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"confirmed\">confirmed<\/a> that his department and the FBI will investigate the leak. The secretary denied any disparity between the assessment and his public analysis of the strike and continued to call the mission an &ldquo;overwhelming success.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>While Senate Majority Leader <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">John Thune (R-SD)<\/a> had teased a classified briefing on the matter on Tuesday, Cruz explained that it did not take place and was rescheduled for later in the week.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3452262\/john-thune-iran-trump-strikes-within-authority\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>JOHN THUNE SAYS CRITICS OF IRAN STRIKES ARE &lsquo;ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure we&rsquo;re gonna ask in the classified setting, &lsquo;What do we know specifically about what was hit, what happened to the enriched uranium, [and] what the state of the centrifuges is?&#8217;&rdquo; Cruz said.<\/p>\n<p>Trump&rsquo;s effort required seven B-2 bomber aircraft, 14&nbsp;30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, one submarine, and 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Since Saturday night, there hasn&rsquo;t been any further U.S. military action, and there haven&rsquo;t been any reported U.S. fatalities. Trump also helped&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3451878\/trump-says-israel-iran-ceasefire-in-effect-despite-violations-overnight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">negotiate a ceasefire<\/a>&nbsp;on Monday between Iran and Israel after Israel began its own series of strikes over a week ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2157913\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2157913\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ted Cruz dismisses &#8216;dubious&#8217; leak on Iran strike damage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2631,"featured_media":2451915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24110010984177-scaled-1024x682.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[57575,57897,32090],"class_list":["post-2451914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-iran-strikes","tag-news-leak","tag-ted-cruz"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24110010984177-scaled-1024x682.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2631"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2451914"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2451918,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2451914\/revisions\/2451918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2451915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2451914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2451914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2451914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}