Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iran

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/13/pete-hegseth-iran-was-us-press

Despite assertions of near-total battlefield dominance, the Pentagon has acknowledged that the strait of Hormuz – a key shipping route for Gulf oil, not least Iran’s own – remains partly closed to commercial shipping, and that it has yet to begin naval escort operations.

Addressing the issue of the strait, Hegseth disparaged reporting that the US had not been prepared for Iran’s effective closure of shipping route. “The only thing prohibiting transit in [Hormuz] right now is Iran shooting at shipping,” Hegseth said. “It is open for transit should Iran not do that.”