US Official's Viral Claim: Military Used Under 10% Power in Iran Operations
An American media personality has sparked widespread attention after making striking assertions about United States military capabilities during a briefing on escalating tensions with Iran. Riley Podleski, a journalist and conservative media figure, stated this week that the US deployed "less than 10%" of its total combat power in recent operations targeting Iran.
Official Pentagon Remarks on Military Superiority
Podleski delivered these comments in an official video update published by the Department of War, where she serves as Pentagon Assistant Press Secretary. In the War Department Weekly Sitrep video, she emphasized, "The new Iranian regime understood that a deal was far better than the fate that awaited them. Our warfighters made history with their overwhelming victory on the battlefield." Her statements followed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
At an earlier Pentagon briefing last week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reinforced this perspective by highlighting the extensive scale of US military might. Hegseth claimed that American forces had effectively dismantled one of the world's largest militaries while utilizing only a small portion of their strength. "The world's leading state sponsor of terrorism proved utterly incapable of defending itself, its people or its territory. We untied just a fraction of our strength, and Iran suffered a devastating military defeat," he asserted.
Podleski Credits Trump with Unprecedented Actions
Podleski expanded on these points by attributing the military success to former US President Donald Trump, praising him for taking bold steps. "We own their skies, wiped out their navy, destroyed their missile program and rendered their defense industrial base useless," she declared. She added that Trump "made history and has done what no other president had the courage to do before."
Dramatic Easter Weekend Rescue Mission Detailed
In her briefing, Podleski also provided a vivid account of a dramatic rescue operation that occurred over the Easter weekend. According to her report, an F-15 Strike Eagle aircraft was shot down over Iran on April 3. Within 48 hours, US forces launched two separate rescue missions involving more than 170 aircraft.
Describing the critical moment when a crew member signaled for assistance, Podleski revealed that his first message was: "God is good." She elaborated on the timeline, stating, "Shot down on Good Friday. Hidden in a cave all Saturday and rescued on Sunday. Flown out of Iran as the sun was rising on Easter Sunday."
Background on Riley Podleski's Media Career
Beyond her official government role, Podleski is recognized for her work with conservative digital media outlets. She has cultivated a significant following through on-the-ground reporting and active social media engagement, often covering topics such as protests, immigration debates, and campus politics. Her reporting is characterized by right-leaning viewpoints that resonate with her audience.
