The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
A senior Trump official confirmed the move followed media reports, including a CNN leak, suggesting the 13 June airstrikes set back Iran’s nuclear program by months but did not destroy it entirely.
In response, top officials - Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Gen. Dan Caine - will brief senators on Thursday. Absent will be Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who previously said Iran wasn’t building a bomb. Trump called her assessment “wrong” and has sidelined her in recent strategy talks.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the decision, saying Congress “deserves information” and that the administration “has no right to stonewall” lawmakers on national security matters.
The briefings were delayed from earlier this week due to Trump’s NATO travel and ceasefire efforts. Meanwhile, the administration is working to shift the narrative. Ratcliffe said the strikes “severely damaged” Iran’s nuclear facilities - a refinement of Trump’s earlier “obliterated” claim. Gen. Caine said full damage assessments are still pending but confirmed “extremely severe” destruction.
Trump also announced a Pentagon press conference to defend U.S. pilots, reacting to negative media coverage. He exaggerated mission details, saying they flew through enemy territory for 36 hours - conflating total flight time with time over target.
Democrats have cited the War Powers Resolution, which requires prompt congressional briefings after military action. Trump sent a memo on Monday citing his constitutional authority to act in defence of U.S. interests.
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Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) have gathered in Bishkek for a summit focused on trade, investment and transport as the group marks 25 years since its creation.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 1st September, covering the latest developments.
The death toll from last week's catastrophic floods in Nepal and Tibet surpassed 1000 on Tuesday, with about 4,000 people, including 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries, still missing, as fresh rainfall pushed up river levels and forced rescuers to move to higher ground.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas says the bloc will tighten enforcement of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. EU foreign ministers were meeting in Ireland following renewed Russian strikes on cities across Ukraine.
Australia and the United States have announced a combined $580 million funding package for Pacific Island nations as both allies seek to strengthen their influence in a region where China has expanded its presence in recent years.
German authorities are investigating two separate incidents involving critical infrastructure after an explosion at a railway station in Augsburg injured two people and a suspected sabotage attack targeted an electricity substation near Bergheim.
The United Nations has warned that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rapidly worsening, calling for a large-scale international response as violence in the east of the country continues to complicate efforts to contain the virus.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Wednesday that NATO member Türkiye could seek full membership in the China- and Russia-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
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