US used Anthropic’s Claude AI during Iran strikes within hours of ban, report says
The US military used Anthropic’s AI tools during strikes on Iran within hours of Trump banning federal agencies from using the company’s systems, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
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The Pentagon utilized Anthropic's AI during major combat operations against Iran, despite Trump ordering federal agencies to stop using the technology that same day.
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Anthropic's tools are used across US military commands for intelligence assessments, target identification, and battle simulations.
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The company was designated a supply-chain risk after refusing to allow its AI to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.
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Anthropic plans to challenge the designation in court while agencies have six months to transition away from its products.
On Saturday, the Israeli and US military launched "major combat operations" against Iran, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Anthropic's tools are used by US Central Command in the Middle East, as well as other commands around the world, for intelligence assessments, target identification, and simulating battle scenarios, according to the WSJ, which quoted people familiar with the matter.
Full details about the extent to which Claude is used in the ongoing operation against Iran were not disclosed.
Over 200 people have been killed across Iran and more than 700 injured, according to the Red Crescent on Saturday. Strikes hit 24 of Iran's 31 provinces. In response, Iran fired drones and missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE in retaliatory attacks on US assets in the region.
Trump said the “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue throughout the week or for as long as needed.
The US military also reportedly used Claude AI in the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
On Friday, Trump ordered the US government to immediately stop using Anthropic’s technology, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that he is directing the Department of War to designate Anthropic a supply-chain risk to national security.
Anthropic has said it plans to challenge the decision to label it a "supply-chain risk" in court.
“Legally, a supply chain risk designation under 10 USC 3252 can only extend to the use of Claude as part of Department of War contracts—it cannot affect how contractors use Claude to serve other customers,” the company said in a public announcement.
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The move came after weeks of tensions between Anthropic and the Pentagon. Anthropic has refused to allow its tools to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous lethal weapons.
The Pentagon set a deadline for the company to either agree to the terms or face consequences.
When the ban was announced, Trump gave a 6-month window for agencies to phase out their use of Anthropic products and emphasized that the company “better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period” unless they want to face “major civil and criminal consequences.”
