Hegseth, briefing reporters at the Pentagon, said U.S. forces located and killed the Iranian target on Tuesday. “The leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed,” he said, adding that “Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.”

The Pentagon chief stressed that eliminating the plot leader was not the initial focus of the broader military campaign against Iran but was added to the U.S. target list as operations expanded. He did not disclose the name of the Iranian official.

Background: Alleged Plot and Charges

In 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged an Iranian individual in connection with an alleged plot ordered by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to assassinate Trump then president‑elect as retaliation for the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani. Tehran has repeatedly denied that it ordered any plot against Trump or other U.S. officials.

The alleged plot emerged in federal criminal filings, and U.S. authorities said they believed Iranian operatives sought to recruit others to carry out attacks on American soil.

Ties to Broader Conflict

The announcement comes amid an escalating conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran following recent military operations targeting Iranian military capabilities. The tensions have already seen U.S. and allied strikes deep into Iranian territory and heightened military engagements in the Middle East.

Defense officials said the broader campaign is aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to strike U.S. forces and partners in the region. The killing of the Iranian official linked to the alleged assassination plot underscores how the conflict has drawn in historical grievances, intelligence threats and long‑standing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Reaction and Denials

Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the killing of the plot leader and continue to deny involvement in assassination efforts against U.S. leaders. Tehran has called U.S. and allied strikes violations of its sovereignty and has vowed to respond to military attacks on its territory.

Analysts say the incident may fuel further tensions and complicate diplomatic efforts to de‑escalate the conflict.

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U.S. President Donald J. Trump has threatened to take legal action against The New York Times and CNN, accusing the media outlets of spreading what he called “false and unpatriotic” information about a classified U.S. military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The backlash follows a report published Thursday by The New York Times, which cited a preliminary intelligence assessment suggesting that the recent U.S. airstrike on Iran failed to fully dismantle the country’s underground nuclear enrichment facilities. CNN aired similar findings in a segment the same day.

“This is another coordinated smear job,” Trump wrote on social media. “Fake News Times and Totally Corrupt CNN are pushing Iranian propaganda during a national security crisis. They will be held accountable.”

Trump’s Lawyer Contacts Times, Demands Retraction

According to the Times report, Trump’s personal attorney Alejandro Brito sent a formal communication to the paper, claiming the article had damaged the president’s personal and professional reputation. While no lawsuit has yet been filed, sources within Trump’s legal team suggest defamation and reputational harm are the primary grounds under consideration.

Brito has also indicated that CNN may receive a similar notice.

“We believe this was reckless, malicious reporting designed to harm the president at a sensitive moment,” Brito told reporters Friday afternoon. “All legal options are on the table.”

Background: The Iran Strike and Fallout

Earlier this month, the United States launched a high-profile military strike on suspected Iranian nuclear sites following escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Initial White House statements claimed “maximum damage” to Iran’s enrichment program.

However, the Times’ investigation, citing unnamed intelligence officials, claimed the strike left key facilities “partially operational,” raising concerns among analysts that Iran’s nuclear timeline may have only been slightly delayed rather than disrupted entirely.

Standing before a packed press room, Hegseth described the operation as “a preemptive, precision-based deterrent against an imminent nuclear breakout.” General Caine added that the B-2 bombers flew from a classified forward base, delivering bunker-busting munitions during a narrow time window designed to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage.

“Each strike was surgically planned to disrupt Iran’s nuclear infrastructure without escalating into a broader war,” Caine stated. “We used the latest ISR intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance data and real-time satellite imagery to confirm target viability before launch.”

The briefing comes just hours after the strikes were confirmed by Iranian state media, which acknowledged “limited structural damage” but vowed a “calibrated response.” As of now, no U.S. personnel casualties have been reported, and all aircraft returned safely.

Hegseth reaffirmed that while the United States does not seek a broader war with Iran, it “will not tolerate nuclear brinkmanship.” He reiterated calls for Iran to return to compliance with international nuclear agreements.

The strikes mark a major turning point in U.S.–Iran relations, with analysts warning of potential escalation across the Gulf region. Heightened alerts have been issued at U.S. embassies and military installations throughout the Middle East.

Despite the show of force, both Hegseth and Caine left the door open to diplomacy. “We are prepared to defend our interests,” said Hegseth, “but we are also open to diplomatic pathways that lead to a safer region and a non-nuclear Iran.”