CIA declares Iran nuclear sites ‘severely damaged’ as Donald Trump demands CNN reporter be fired

US President Donald Trump has demanded that a news correspondent be fired as the CIA made fresh claims it obtained credible intelligence that proves Iran’s nuclear facilities have been “severely damaged” by the recent US airstrikes.

The US dropped fourteen 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, carried by B-2 stealth bombers, in an operation code-named Midnight Hammer last Saturday.

Director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, said the new intelligence comes from a historically reliable and accurate source, confirming that “several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years.”

“CIA continues to collect additional reliably sourced information to keep appropriate decision-makers and oversight bodies fully informed,” he said in a fresh statement.

In an attempt to provide transparency, Mr Ratcliffe added that the CIA will also provide updates and information to the American public, given the national importance of the matter.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also posted on X, declaring that “new intelligence” supported the notion that Iran’s nuclear facilities were “destroyed” in the strikes.

“New intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed. If the Iranians chose to rebuild, they would have to rebuild all three facilities (Natanz, Fordow, Esfahan) entirely which would likely take years to do.”

The update comes after the White House unleashed on CNN and The New York Times for reporting on an early intelligence assessment that suggested Iran’s nuclear facilities were not destroyed.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the assessment was “flat-out wrong” and leaked to CNN by an “anonymous, low-level loser in the intelligence community.”

She added that the leaking of the assessment was a “clear attempt to demean President Trump, and discredit the brave fighter pilots who conducted a perfectly executed mission to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program.”

Mr Trump is still furious, taking to his Truth Social account on Wednesday to call for CNN correspondent, Natasha Bertrand, to be fired from the network and “thrown out like a dog”.

“Natasha Bertrand should be FIRED from CNN! I watched her for three days doing Fake News. She should be IMMEDIATELY reprimanded, and then thrown out ‘like a dog’,” Mr Trump said.

“It’s people like her who destroyed the reputation of a once great Network. Her slant was so obviously negative, besides, she doesn’t have what it takes to be an on camera correspondent, not even close. FIRE NATASHA!”

Mr Trump later posted that the pilots involved in the bombing mission were “very upset” after reading reports of Iran’s nuclear sites not being destroyed.

“After 36 hours of dangerously flying through Enemy Territory, they landed, they knew the success was LEGENDARY, and then, two days later, they started reading Fake News by CNN and The Failing New York Times. They felt terribly!” Mr Trump wrote.

“Fortunately for them and, as usual, solely for the purpose of demeaning PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, the Fake News (Times and CNN) lied and totally misrepresented the Facts, none of which they had (because it was too soon, there were no Facts out there yet!)”

After the US President singled out Ms Bertrand for her reporting on the early intel assessment, the network has responded by saying it stands “100% behind” her.

“We stand 100% behind Natasha Bertrand’s journalism and specifically her and her colleagues’ reporting of the early intelligence assessment of the US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities,” the network said in a statement.

“CNN’s reporting made clear that this was an initial finding that could change with additional intelligence. We have extensively covered President Trump’s own deep scepticism about it.

“However, we do not believe it is reasonable to criticise CNN reporters for accurately reporting on the existence of the assessment and accurately characterising its findings, which are in the public interest.”

Mr Trump announced another press conference will take place with Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, on Thursday to discuss the operation.

“The news conference will prove both interesting and irrefutable. Enjoy!”