US Defense Secretary Fires Defense Intelligence Chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Washington: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) after the agency’s initial assessment of US strikes on Iran contradicted former President Donald Trump’s claims of success.

The decision comes months after the DIA concluded that American airstrikes — carried out alongside Israel in June — delayed Iran’s nuclear program by only a few months. This assessment directly conflicted with Trump’s and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertions that the strikes dealt a crippling blow to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Israel’s June 13 operation targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production, and military leadership. The US subsequently bombed three key nuclear sites during the 12-day conflict. Despite Trump’s claims of decisive damage, intelligence officials maintained the setback was temporary.

Hegseth, who has publicly criticized media reports questioning the effectiveness of the strikes, defended Trump’s narrative but did not provide evidence of lasting destruction to Iranian nuclear facilities.

Kruse’s dismissal follows other leadership shakeups:

• Gen. David Allvin, the US Air Force’s top officer, announced an early retirement.
• The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) confirmed plans to cut staff and reduce its budget.

These moves highlight mounting tensions within the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies as political and strategic disputes over Iran continue.

Analysts say Kruse’s firing underscores the growing politicization of intelligence assessments and the widening gap between military intelligence reports and political narratives. The shake-up raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and the independence of intelligence agencies at a critical time for US security policy in the Middle East.

Thank you for reading! For comprehensive news coverage and exclusive stories, visit SafartiTarjuman.com