The US military reportedly continued using Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence model during recent airstrikes on Iran, even after US President Donald Trump ordered a halt to the technology’s use across federal agencies, according to reports citing officials familiar with the matter.
The development highlights how deeply integrated AI systems have become in modern military planning and operations.
Claude AI Reportedly Used by US Central Command
According to reports, the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the Middle East, used Claude AI for several critical functions during the Iran strikes, including:
- Intelligence analysis and threat assessment
- Identifying and prioritising strike targets
- Simulating military battle scenarios
- Supporting operational planning and decision-making
These capabilities reportedly helped military planners prepare and execute coordinated operations more efficiently.
Claude is developed by Anthropic, a US-based artificial intelligence firm known for its advanced large language models.
Trump Had Ordered Ban on Anthropic’s AI
The reported usage comes shortly after Trump directed federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s AI systems, citing national security concerns and tensions with the company’s leadership.
Trump reportedly declared the company a “national security risk” and ordered government departments to phase out its technology.
However, officials noted that the transition away from Anthropic’s systems could take up to six months, meaning existing operational deployments may still have been in use during the Iran strikes.
Dispute Between Pentagon and Anthropic Leadership
The conflict escalated after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei refused Pentagon demands for unrestricted access to Claude AI.
Amodei reportedly insisted on safeguards to prevent:
- Mass domestic surveillance
- Fully autonomous weapons use
- Uncontrolled military deployment of AI
Anthropic has also challenged the government’s “supply chain risk” designation in court, calling it legally questionable.
Growing Role of AI in Modern Warfare
The reported use of Claude underscores how artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a key component of military operations.
AI tools can assist armed forces by:
- Processing large volumes of intelligence data quickly
- Identifying patterns and threats
- Running simulations of combat scenarios
- Supporting faster and more informed decisions
However, the use of AI in warfare also raises ethical, legal, and security concerns globally.
No Official Confirmation Yet
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has officially confirmed the reported use of Claude AI during the Iran strikes.
Anthropic has also not publicly commented on the specific operational use of its technology in the military campaign.
The situation highlights the tension between rapid AI adoption in defence and political decisions to regulate or restrict its use.
AI’s Expanding Role in Global Military Strategy
The reported reliance on AI systems like Claude reflects a broader shift toward AI-assisted warfare, where advanced software plays a growing role alongside traditional military capabilities.
As geopolitical tensions rise, artificial intelligence is expected to remain a critical tool in intelligence gathering, military planning, and strategic operations worldwide.