- US forces used Anthropic’s Claude in Iran strikes hours after Trump ordered agencies to cut ties.
- The Pentagon relies on Claude for intel, target selection, and battle simulations.
- OpenAI and xAI are set to replace Anthropic as AI tensions with the White House escalate.
The U.S. military reportedly relied on artificial intelligence from Anthropic during airstrikes on Iran. This came just hours after President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to cut ties with the company.
According to reports, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) used Anthropic’s Claude AI model for intelligence assessments, target identification, and battlefield simulations during the joint U.S.-Israel operation.
The move highlights how deeply embedded AI systems have become in U.S. defense operations. Despite the administration’s directive to halt cooperation with Anthropic, the Pentagon acknowledged that phasing out Claude would take up to six months due to its integration across military systems and partners, including data analytics firm Palantir Technologies.
Tensions Between Trump and Anthropic
The ban followed months of friction between the White House and Anthropic. The dispute intensified after the AI company objected to the military’s use of Claude in operations involving violence, including a January mission targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Anthropic reportedly refused to grant the Pentagon unrestricted access to its models for all lawful scenarios during contract negotiations. In response, Trump labeled the firm a “Radical Left AI company” and directed agencies to immediately cease using its tools.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized the company, accusing it of “arrogance and betrayal” while confirming that services would continue temporarily to ensure a smooth transition.
OpenAI and xAI Move In
As relations with Anthropic deteriorated, the Defense Department expanded partnerships with rival AI developers. OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, has reportedly secured agreements to deploy its models within classified Pentagon networks. Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, is also said to be involved in classified defense settings.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman confirmed cooperation with the Pentagon, signaling a broader shift in government AI alliances.
Crypto and AI Market Implications
Ultimately, the episode underscores the growing strategic importance of AI infrastructure. The area increasingly intersects with crypto markets, particularly in decentralized AI and blockchain-based compute networks.
Investors are observing how government crackdowns, shifting AI partnerships, and geopolitical tensions could reshape both AI token valuations and broader digital asset sentiment in the months ahead.
Related: Anthropic Study Confirms AI Agents Can Weaponize Smart Contract Exploits at Scale
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