Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave another media critique at a Pentagon press conference Friday, this time singling out a CNN report that the Trump administration underestimated the war’s impact on the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, controlled on three sides by Iran, is the choke point for shipping from the region. A CNN spokesperson said of Hegseth’s comments, “We stand by our reporting.”Barbara Starr, former CNN Pentagon correspondent, posted a message to Hegseth on X, “CNN has had personnel in combat zones for decades. If it can be admitted.”During his tenure, the former Fox & Friends Weekend host has sought to impose new restrictions on press access to the Pentagon. Ellison has said that the independence of CNN “needs to be maintained” under its new ownership.

Source: CNN March 13, 2026 19:32 UTC