Secretary of War Pete Hegseth blasted claims that the United States failed to anticipate disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, after reporters questioned why American ships were not escorting tankers through the waterway.
The criticism stems from a CNN report that claimed senior Trump administration officials had not planned for the possibility of Iran attempting to close the strait.
This story is 100% FAKE NEWS.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 13, 2026
CNN decided to run this garbage based on three anonymous “sources familiar with discussions.”
This is despite the fact that myself, the Secretary of War, the Secretary of State, and multiple lawmakers (who were actually present for the recent… pic.twitter.com/IchmwpDnO7
🚨 REPORTER: We aren't escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Why?! How did you not plan for this?!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 13, 2026
SECWAR PETE HEGSETH: "We PLANNED for it. We recognize it. Because ultimately we want to do it sequentially in a way that makes the most sense for what we want to achieve and… pic.twitter.com/VT9DB9XFcY
"We aren't escorting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Why? How did you not plan for this?" a reporter asked Hegseth during a press conference on Friday.
"We planned for it, we recognize it, because ultimately we want to do it sequentially in a way that makes the most sense for what we want to achieve, and ensure that we're sending the right signals to the world when we do so," Hegseth replied. "So when Chris Wright speaks or we speak, it's based on a full assessment of what we're up against, what we want to say to the world, how we want them to see and understand the conflict."
It's like this whole idea of the war widening. That's what the press wants to make it look like, like it's widening and chaos is ensuing. No, we're actually closing in on grabbing hold of and controlling what objectives we want to achieve and how we want to achieve them. It's called shaping operations and setting the conditions.
"The Strait of Hormuz is something we've paid attention to from the beginning, and the American people can rest assured we will ensure that our interests are advanced, no doubt," he added.
Senator Tom Cotton also pushed back on the claims, writing in a statement: "As Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, let me make clear: whoever leaked this lied. CNN should do some fact-checking. The U.S. has planned for Iran to try to close the strait for decades."
As Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, let me make clear: whoever leaked this lied.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) March 13, 2026
CNN should do some fact-checking.
The U.S. has planned for Iran to try to close the strait for decades. pic.twitter.com/hSeMi13svh
CNN then issued a clarification for its reporting, although the White House remained displeased.
This is the pathetic “clarification” issued by CNN on their fake story.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 13, 2026
Still waiting on @ZcohenCNN to delete his completely inaccurate post. https://t.co/z8cyxON34n pic.twitter.com/KZxDOwGKzU
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.
Help us report the truth about the Trump administration’s decisive actions to keep Americans safe and bring peace to the world. Join Townhall VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member