Leon Panetta criticizes the Pentagon for a "shameful" approach to disclosing US casualties during the ongoing war in Iran.
Leon Panetta, a former defense secretary and CIA director, has criticized the Pentagon for its "shameful approach" to releasing information regarding US casualties in the Iran war. The defense department has not held a press briefing for over two months, leading to accusations of a deliberate cover-up to shield the public from the true costs of the conflict. While the Pentagon reported 18 deaths and 430 injuries, critics argue the administration is withholding data to manage the political narrative before the midterm elections. The department has also faced scrutiny for restricting media access, replacing major outlets with Trump-friendly sources. Despite the lack of briefings, the administration announced that it continues to provide updates online. The war has faced criticism for its lack of clear objectives and high economic costs. While the Pentagon maintains it provides comprehensive updates, experts suggest the current information vacuum reflects a lack of confidence in the current military strategy.