The Pentagon and White House pushed back Friday against CNN’s coverage of the Iran war, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying he welcomed the prospect of David Ellison taking over the network. Hegseth used part of a Pentagon news conference on US military operations against Tehran to criticize media coverage, singling out CNN and calling for what he described as a more patriotic press. JOIN US ON TELEGRAM Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The White House also rejected CNN’s reporting on the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade. Trump has often criticized CNN and its reporters, including anchor Kaitlan Collins, with whom he has had several tense exchanges.

Source: CNN March 14, 2026 16:54 UTC