Pentagon bans photographers from Pete Hegseth's briefings on Iran war: Report

The US Defence Department has blocked press photographers from attending briefings on the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran after images of Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were published that his aides reportedly considered "unflattering."

According to the Washington Post, the restrictions came after a press briefing on March 2 in which Pete Hegseth and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine briefed reporters on joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The briefing marked Pete Hegseth’s first appearance behind the Pentagon press podium in months.

Photographers from several major outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters and Getty Images attended the March 2 briefing and published images of Pete Hegseth addressing reporters. These photographs were distributed internationally because wire service images are licenced to publications around the world.

But soon after the images appeared online and in newspapers, members of Pete Hegseth’s staff reportedly complained internally about how the defence secretary looked in the photos. Two people familiar with the decision told the Washington Post that aides decided to block photographers from attending the next two Pentagon briefings held on March 4 and March 10.

Photographers who arrived for those events were not permitted inside the Pentagon briefing room, the report said. Since then, only photographers appointed by the Defence Department have been allowed to capture images from the briefings.

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson defended the change in access rules in a statement. "In order to use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively, we are allowing one representative per news outlet if uncredentialed, excluding pool," he told the WaPo.

"Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use. If that hurts the business model for certain news outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential," he added.

TRUMP ADMIN'S CLASH WITH MEDIA CONTINUE

The dispute occurred in the context of ongoing tensions between the Pentagon leadership and many mainstream news organisations. Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host who was confirmed as defence secretary early in President Donald Trump’s second term, has frequently butted heads with reporters covering his department.

The WaPo reported that tensions escalated last year when the Pentagon introduced new rules requiring credentialed media outlets to agree not to solicit or publish information from the Defence Department unless it had been authorised by officials.

The policy applied even to declassified material or information obtained through off-the-record conversations. Many major news organisations refused to sign the agreement, saying the restrictions undermined press freedom.

As a result, numerous outlets -- including global broadcasters, major newspapers and wire services -- lost their Pentagon press credentials. In response, hundreds of reporters returned their credentials and dozens walked out of the building in protest.

PRESS BRIEFING AFTER IRAN STRIKES

Despite those tensions, the Pentagon made an exception for the March 2 briefing following the strikes on Iran, allowing some journalists who had previously lost credentials to attend after the department requested television cameras from major broadcast networks.

During that press conference, Pete Hegseth took an aggressive tone toward reporters and strongly defended the military operation.

"To the media outlets and political left screaming 'endless wars,' stop. This is not Iraq. This is not endless," Pete Hegseth said during the briefing.

"Our generation knows better and so does this president."

He also blasted questions from journalists about the war’s timeline and potential escalation.

"Why in the world would we tell you, you, the enemy, anybody, what we will or will not do in pursuit of an objective?" Pete Hegseth said in response to a question about US military strategy.

- Ends

With inputs from agencies