Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out Thursday at the media, saying reporters used an early intelligence assessment of the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites to sow doubt about the mission’s effectiveness.

President Trump’s decision to launch Operation Midnight Hammer, which Mr. Hegseth called “the most complex and secretive military operation in history,” paved the way for the current ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, he said during a Thursday morning press conference at the Pentagon.

“President Trump created the conditions to end the war, decimating, obliterating and destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” Mr. Hegseth said.

Operation Midnight Hammer included seven B-2 Spirit bombers that flew east from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to Iran.

Meanwhile, another group of B-2s headed over the Pacific as decoys. They required in-flight refuelings as the bombers crossed the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

The B-2 bombers dropped a total of 14 GBU-57 “Massive Ordnance Penetrator” weapons during the mission.

SEE ALSO: Hegseth returns fire after being scolded for saying ‘boys in bombers’

The defense secretary criticized the “fawning” press coverage of the Defense Intelligence Agency leak. He said that some reporters relied on half-truths and leaked information to cause doubt and manipulate the public.

“It was leaked because someone had an agenda to try and muddy the waters to try and make it look like this historic strike wasn’t successful,” Mr. Hegseth said. “Because [the press] cheers against Trump so hard, it’s in your DNA, your blood, to cheer against Trump. Because you want him not to be successful so bad … you have to hope that maybe [the strikes] weren’t effective.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.