WASHINGTON — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth unleashed a barrage of critiques against “fake news” outlets while debunking several of their stories during Friday’s Pentagon press conference. He argued that misinformation undermines U.S. military efforts in Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing airstrike campaign against Iran. Hegseth, flanked by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, devoted the opening minutes of the presser to urging accurate reporting and lambasting coverage fixated on IRGC propaganda, continuing his ongoing war with what he calls biased and misleading media narratives that have persisted throughout the campaign.
CBS foreign affairs staffer regurgitating IRGC lies to own Witkoff and Kushner. https://t.co/dty0eP0tIS
— R.C. Maxwell 🇺🇸 (@RCMaxw3ll) March 13, 2026
READ MORE: ‘Decimated’: Hegseth Says Iran’s Military Is Being Crushed in Operation Epic Fury
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Hegseth said, “We’re used to bad reporting,” but noted it was important to highlight false reports like one from CNN claiming the Trump administration underestimated Iran’s response in the Strait of Hormuz. “More fake news from CNN,” Hegseth stated. “The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better!”
Referencing other misleading headlines and stories, Hegseth isolated other headlines, like “Mideast War Intensifies,” that he said should instead read “Iran Increasingly Desperate” to reflect reality.
Hegseth then shifted to updates on Operation Epic Fury, which is now in its 13th day. He emphasized the rapid dismantling of Iran’s military capabilities, saying, “Never before has a modern, capable military, which Iran used to have, been so quickly destroyed and made combat ineffective,” Hegseth proudly declared.
Emphasizing that U.S. and allied strikes have left Iran without functional air defenses, Hegseth characterized Iran’s recent maneuvers in the Strait of Hormuz as “sheer desperation” and clear evidence of U.S. superiority dominating the theater. Hegseth added that the DoW has a “range of options” to stop Iran’s repeated attacks against tankers, which is driving crude oil volatility.
READ MORE: Oil Prices Surge Then Plunge Amid Optimism Over U.S.-Israel War With Iran Nearing End
General Caine stated that Iranian missile launchers, drones, and stockpiles continue to be methodically targeted and neutralized, with Iran’s missile attack volume reduced by 90 percent. With the joint force drawing on unlimited ammunition reserves (a reference to the Pentagon’s promise that vast stockpiles of precision-guided munitions, including laser-guided bombs, remain ready for use), Hegseth described the sustained, high-intensity strikes as unrelenting. The strikes have given the U.S. a logistical edge that Hegseth emphasized will ensure pressure on Iran without supply constraints.
The Secretary of War also delivered direct warnings to Russia and Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, making clear there would be no pause until they surrendered. Hegseth stated that the new leader is “wounded and likely disfigured,” noting that recent communications from him have been limited to written statements without video or voice, suggesting he is “scared,” “injured,” “on the run,” making his rule less legitimate. “We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said. “He put out a statement yesterday, but there was no voice and no video. It was only a written statement… Iran’s leadership has gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do.”
During the briefing, Hegseth addressed the tragic loss of a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq on Thursday while supporting Operation Epic Fury. The incident, involving two aircraft in friendly airspace and not the result of hostile or friendly fire, claimed the lives of four crew members, with search-and-rescue efforts continuing for the two Airmen still missing. Hegseth honored them as “American heroes, all of them,” whose dedication and courage in the face of operational risk exemplify the finest traditions of service.
Horrible news. CENTCOM just confirmed the death of 4 American service members in the crash of a USAF KC-135 in Western Iraq.
Two Americans remain unaccounted for. https://t.co/kzyAgyAAAN
— R.C. Maxwell 🇺🇸 (@RCMaxw3ll) March 13, 2026
SEE: Tragic Loss: CENTCOM Confirms Four American Heroes Killed in Iraq Non-Combat Crash
This somber moment casts a dark cloud over the campaign’s mounting successes, serving as a poignant reminder of the profound human cost exacted by any military mission. Given that the sacrifice of American lives demands that the objective be worth every measure of resolve, you can expect more scrutiny about the planning of Epic Fury despite the decisive elimination of threats posed by a regime that has long targeted U.S. interests and allies.
As long as Iran’s leadership clings to power, the legacy media will continue seeking ways to portray the conflict as unworthy of the price paid, even if that means echoing regime talking points and propaganda.
Editor’s Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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