WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to control the narrative surrounding recent U.S. strikes on Iran by directly targeting journalists from various media outlets, including both CNN and Fox News [1][2].

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, publicly criticized Jennifer Griffin, a respected Fox News defense reporter, during a Pentagon press briefing. Hegseth stated, 'Jennifer, you've been about the worst,' after Griffin questioned the certainty of Iran's highly enriched uranium being located at the Fordow nuclear facility [1][2].

Later the same day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt singled out CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand, accusing her of spreading 'a lie from the intelligence community' [1][2]. These incidents highlight a broader strategy by the administration to put media outlets on the defensive and potentially stifle questioning about intelligence reports that may not fully support the administration's claims about the effectiveness of the strikes on Iran's nuclear capabilities.

The administration's approach appears to target a wide range of media outlets, regardless of their perceived political leanings. This strategy has raised concerns about press freedom and the administration's attempts to control the flow of information regarding critical national security matters [1][2].

As tensions with Iran continue to evolve, the role of the media in providing accurate and timely information to the public remains crucial. The coming days may see further developments in both the Iran situation and the administration's relationship with the press.