OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has told employees that the Department of Defense (DoD) does not make operational decisions regarding the use of its artificial intelligence technology by the military. This comes after OpenAI announced its DoD arrangement just hours before the U.S. and Israel began launching strikes against Iran. Altman had previously defended the contract with the Pentagon, stating that the agency respects OpenAI's technical expertise and will allow for input about where its models are a good fit. However, he also stated that operational decisions for the military lie with Secretary Pete Hegseth.