Overview

• The Washington Post reported the dismissal based on two unnamed sources, and the Pentagon has not confirmed it.
• Sources said Hegseth lost confidence in Kruse following internal analysis of June strikes on Iran.
• The leaked DIA assessment, published by CNN as a low-confidence finding, concluded the strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program only by months.
• Those conclusions conflicted with public statements from Hegseth and President Donald Trump that Iran’s capabilities were “obliterated.”
• The Defense Department has not named a successor, and the reported ouster extends a string of senior national security removals including Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, and Linda Fagan.