Inspector general group announces pick to lead oversight of Iran war following senator’s questioning

Last week, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., requested that an oversight body for inspectors general assign one of the agency watchdogs to lead oversight of the war in Iran, pointing to a statutory requirement for such a designation with respect to a military “overseas contingency operation that exceeds 60 days.” 

On Wednesday, the Defense Department OIG announced that it had been selected to spearhead oversight of Operation Epic Fury; although, officials said that the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency made the designation on May 12. 

The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28.  

“This lead inspector general designation not only follows the framework required in the IG Act, it also reflects the extensive experience of the [DOD] OIG with comprehensive oversight of overseas contingency operations,” DOD IG Platte Moring said in a statement. “We are collaborating closely with our colleagues to promote accountability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

According to the announcement, the DOD OIG’s oversight of the war in Iran will be supported by the IGs for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. While the Trump administration folded USAID into State in 2025, the USAID OIG is still active. 

When selecting an IG to lead oversight of an overseas military operation, the CIGIE chair is limited to choosing the IG for DOD, State or USAID. 

Moring was confirmed as the DOD IG in December 2025. He previously served as deputy general counsel at the department during Trump’s first term. Likewise, Cheryl Mason, who was elected as CIGIE chair in March, was confirmed in summer 2025 as the IG at the Veterans Affairs Department after a stint as a senior adviser to VA Secretary Doug Collins. 

Government oversight advocates and congressional Democrats have criticized the president’s penchant for placing individuals, such as Moring and Mason, who have worked in his first or second administration in IG roles and questioned whether they can provide true independent oversight. Moring, though, received bipartisan support during his confirmation hearing. 

As the designee, he will be responsible for developing a strategy for oversight of the war in Iran, reviewing the accuracy of associated spending information provided by federal agencies and resolving any jurisdictional crossovers. He also will be required to issue regular public reports on his office’s activities. The DOD OIG said the first quarterly report would be issued in the fall. 

Duckworth celebrated Wednesday’s announcement. 

“Now, as lead IG, the DOD IG must work expeditiously with his counterparts to conduct independent oversight of all programs and operations in support of President Trump’s costly, disastrous war, and — as I have requested — brief me on these matters without delay,” she said in a statement.

Relatedly, Trump on Monday nominated Carl Anderson to be State IG. The office confirmed to Government Executive that he is a former federal attorney, congressional staffer and has been a legal adviser at State since April 2025. 

At the start of his second term, the president fired the former State IG as well as the watchdogs at 16 other agencies.