Defense Intelligence Agency Director Fired Amidst Conflicting Assessments of Iran Strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse from his position as head of the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency on Friday. This action adds to a series of senior officer removals under Hegseth's leadership.

The firing followed an initial assessment by the agency in June regarding strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. This assessment suggested a limited impact, seemingly contradicting President Donald Trump's earlier claim that the facilities had been "obliterated." Official statements from the Pentagon and White House offered no specific reason for the dismissal, only stating that Kruse would be removed from his role. The Deputy Director, Christine Bordine, has assumed the role of Acting Director.

Administration officials did not provide a reason for Kruse's firing. He had been in the position since February 2024 and was expected to serve until 2027. Congressional officials confirmed the firing, stating they were informed it was due to a "lack of confidence."

Separately, Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, the chief of the Navy Reserve, and Rear Admiral Milton Sands, a Navy SEAL officer overseeing the Naval Special Warfare Command, were also fired.

Kruse's removal is part of a pattern of senior military personnel being fired under Hegseth. This includes the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the heads of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, the Navy's top admiral, and the head of the U.S. Coast Guard. Additionally, the Air Force Chief of Staff announced an early retirement.

The DIA's initial assessment of the strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, completed shortly after the event, indicated a setback of several months to Iran's nuclear program. This assessment was marked as "low confidence." This assessment differed from President Trump's immediate assessment that the sites had been "totally obliterated."

The release of the DIA assessment led to criticism from the White House, with officials alleging a leak. Hegseth later addressed the media, criticizing the assessment's preliminary nature and lack of coordination with the intelligence community.