Did US use Anthropic AI in Iran’s strikes despite Trump’s ban? What we know

The Pentagon reportedly used Anthropic’s artificial intelligence in major strikes against Iran despite US President Donald Trump’s ban on the government’s use of the AI tool. On Saturday (Feb 28), the Israeli and US military launched strikes on Iran, attacking over 30 targets and killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, just hours after Trump ordered the US government to end the use of Anthropic’s AI tools.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Trump used the same AI tools in the military operations against Iran that he banned their use for the US government. Commands around the world, including the US Central Command in the Middle East, use Anthropic’s Claude AI tool, it added, citing people familiar with the matter.

The revelation comes amid tensions between the tech company and the Pentagon after Anthropic refused to allow the Pentagon use its AI tools in military operations. The AI tools were reportedly used for intelligence assessments, target identification and simulating battle scenarios by the command.

On Saturday (Feb 28), the Israeli and US military launched strikes on Iran, attacking over 30 targets and killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over its nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards vowed to severely punish the “murderers” of Khamenei after his death was confirmed on Sunday (Mar 1). They also warned of launching the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israel and US bases.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the “pure blood” of supreme leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei will “eradicate American-Zionist oppression and crime.” The Iranian government has declared 40 days of public mourning and seven days of public holiday after Khamenei’s death.

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