Trump threatens to sue New York Times, CNN over reports undermining Iran strike claims

President Trump is threatening to sue the New York Times and CNN over reports that contradicted his claim that recent US airstrikes on Iran “obliterated” the country’s nuclear capabilities.The president’s legal team says both outlets defamed him by reporting on a preliminary intelligence assessment that concluded the strikes had only set back Iran’s nuclear capabilities by a few months, according to a Times article earlier this week.The report, citing Defense Intelligence Agency assessments, came after Trump said US bunker-busting bombs had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facility in Fordow.In a letter sent Wednesday to the left-leaning Gray Lady, Trump’s personal attorney, Alejandro Brito, accused the paper of defamation and demanded a retraction and apology.The letter described the Times story as “false,” “defamatory” and “unpatriotic.” It claimed that the paper had harmed Trump’s reputation.Brito called the military operation a “historic and resounding military success” that “unequivocally eliminated Iran’s nuclear capabilities and brought peace to the region.”In response, Times lawyer David McCraw flatly rejected the demand.“No retraction is needed,” he wrote.“No apology will be forthcoming.

We told the truth to the best of our ability.We will continue to do so.”McCraw added that the article reported exactly what the intelligence assessment stated: “The US intelligence services issued a preliminary assessment concluding that the attacks delayed Iran’s nuclear program only by a few months.

This is what we reported.”A CNN spokesperson confirmed to The Post on Friday that the network had received a similar legal threat and was also standing by its reporting.The legal threats came after Trump blasted the outlets on social media, calling for journalists at both organizations to be fired.He also accused them of trying to “demean” US military personnel.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s complaints...