Trending Now - Trump's Pentagon Chief Criticizes Cnn's Iran War Coverage

WHO:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine

President Trump

David Ellison, CEO of Paramount

Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary

U.S. military personnel

WHAT:

Hegseth criticized CNN's coverage of the Iran war during a press conference on March 13th, 2026.

Four U.S. service members were killed in a KC-135 aerial refueler crash in western Iraq.

Hegseth stated that "bad things happen" and praised the crew as heroes.

Central Command reported that approximately 6,000 targets inside Iran have been struck since the war began on February 28th, 2026.

Hegseth claimed that Iran's missile volume is down 90% and that all of Iran's defense companies have been "functionally defeated."

Oil prices have risen to over $100 a barrel amid the conflict.

The U.S. would temporarily loosen sanctions against Russia to allow the sale of Russian oil already at sea.

WHERE:

Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Western Iraq

Strait of Hormuz

WHEN:

March 13th, 2026 - Date of Hegseth's press conference.

February 28th, 2026 - Date the war with Iran began.

March 12th, 2026 - Date of the KC-135 crash.

WHY:

Hegseth's remarks were motivated by concerns over media coverage of the Iran war and its impact on public perception.

The U.S. aims to address high oil prices and the ongoing conflict with Iran.

HOW:

Hegseth suggested that CNN should be overhauled under new ownership to improve its reporting.

The U.S. military is conducting airstrikes and rescue operations in response to the crash and ongoing conflict.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 19:17 UTC)

During a press conference at the Pentagon today, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticized CNN's coverage of the ongoing war with Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, while also addressing the tragic loss of four U.S. service members in a KC-135 crash in western Iraq. Hegseth highlighted that approximately 6,000 targets inside Iran have been struck since the conflict started and claimed that Iran's missile volume has decreased by 90%, stating that all of Iran's defense companies are "functionally defeated." In response to rising oil prices, which have surpassed $100 a barrel, the U.S. will temporarily loosen sanctions against Russia to facilitate the sale of Russian oil already at sea.