Fact Check: Dan Shapiro, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Affairs, stated that President Trump is putting military assets in place that could allow for strikes on Iran, including the Fordow facility, as of October 30, 2023.

Fact Check: "Dan Shapiro stated that President Trump is putting military assets in place that could allow for strikes on Iran, including the Fordow facility, as of October 30, 2023."

What We Know

The claim suggests that Dan Shapiro, who recently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Affairs, made a statement regarding military preparations by President Trump for potential strikes on Iran, specifically targeting the Fordow facility. However, according to his official biography, Dan Shapiro was appointed to this position on January 8, 2024, which means he could not have made any statements regarding military actions as of October 30, 2023, because he was not in office at that time (source-1).

Furthermore, there are no records or credible sources indicating that Shapiro made such statements prior to his appointment. His previous roles included being the U.S. ambassador to Israel and serving in various capacities related to Middle Eastern affairs, but none of these positions would have allowed him to comment on military strategies under the Trump administration after the specified date (source-1).

Analysis

The claim appears to be based on a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of Dan Shapiro's timeline and authority. As the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, his role would involve providing insights and recommendations on military policy, but he was not in a position to make public statements regarding military actions prior to his appointment.

The credibility of the sources that might have propagated this claim is questionable, as they do not provide any direct quotes or verifiable statements from Shapiro regarding military actions against Iran. The only available statements from Shapiro post-appointment are related to his views on U.S. foreign policy and regional stability, which do not support the claim made (source-3).

Moreover, the context of military readiness and strategic discussions concerning Iran is a complex and sensitive topic that involves multiple stakeholders and is often subject to speculation and misinterpretation. Thus, any claim regarding military actions should be substantiated with direct evidence or official statements, which is lacking in this instance.

Conclusion

The claim that Dan Shapiro stated President Trump is putting military assets in place for potential strikes on Iran, including the Fordow facility, as of October 30, 2023, is False. Shapiro was not appointed to his position until January 8, 2024, and therefore could not have made any statements regarding military actions at the time in question. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that he made such comments prior to his appointment.

Sources

1. Daniel B. Shapiro > U.S. Department of Defense > Biography
2. PDF Statement by Daniel B. Shapiro Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense ...
3. Dan Shapiro | 'Taking the Edge Off the Middle East' Ep. 9
4. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Receives US Deputy Assistant ...
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6. 2025 Israel-Iran war
7. June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran