Steve Cortes, founder of the League of American Workers, said that media coverage of Iranian intelligence is misleading and suggested that Iranians may be aware of surveillance. The statement was made on X.
“Plus, even if the reporting is accurate, it’s entirely possible — and very likely — that the Iranians know they’re being monitored and purposefully speaking that way,” said Cortes. “Corporate media is the enemy of the people.”
In 2025, U.S. media coverage regarding intelligence leaks about Iran’s nuclear program sparked controversy. According to The Washington Post, officials’ claims that recent airstrikes had crippled Iran’s nuclear capacity were contradicted by a leaked “low-confidence” intelligence report indicating only a short-term delay. This episode ignited debate about journalistic responsibility and government transparency.
A Defense Intelligence Agency report, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, found that U.S. intelligence intercepted communications showing Iran’s nuclear ambitions suffered a setback of less than six months. This duration was significantly less than initially claimed and directly impacted congressional moves to restrict intelligence sharing.
According to an analysis by Just Security, between 40% and 50% of early U.S. media reports on Iranian military and nuclear activities in recent years required substantial correction or clarification after intelligence assessments were finalized.
Cortes is the Founder and President of the League of American Workers and serves as a senior political advisor to CatholicVote. He is also a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance, as well as a commentator for Fox News and CNN. Cortes regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
