Washington, March 19 (NationPress) - US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a fierce critique of parts of the American media on Thursday, alleging they are attempting to undermine the nation's war efforts and minimize military successes amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

During a Pentagon news briefing alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, Hegseth asserted that the media appeared more focused on discrediting President Donald Trump than on accurately reporting the developments on the battlefield.

“Today, I address you directly, the American people. Not through intermediaries, not through journalists, not through cable news,” Hegseth emphasized. He remarked that “a deceitful, anti-Trump press will stop at nothing” to “downplay achievements, highlight every cost, and question every move.”

Hegseth criticized the media's narrative that suggested the conflict was “heading toward an infinite abyss or a perpetual war or a quagmire.” He countered that the current military operation is fundamentally distinct from the prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Nothing could be further from the truth, listen to me,” he stated. “This is not like those wars. President Trump understands that, Epic Fury is different. It’s precise and decisive.”

The Defence Secretary reiterated that the administration’s military objectives have remained consistent since the initiation of the campaign. He outlined goals to “eliminate missiles, launchers, and Iran's defense industrial base,” “dismantle their navy,” and ensure “Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.”

Hegseth pointedly addressed the press corps present, clarifying that reporters were not his intended audience. “Yes, there are journalists in front of me, but our audience today is you, the honorable, patriotic American citizens,” he stated.

He accused certain media outlets of misrepresenting the realities of the war, even as the Pentagon reported significant achievements. “To my fellow patriotic journalists, no one can deliver perfection in wartime,” he remarked. “But report the truth, we are winning decisively and on our terms.”

Hegseth framed his criticism as part of a broader frustration with how segments of the political and media elite respond to military actions under Trump. “They desire President Trump to fail, but you—the American people—know better,” he added.

These comments marked one of Hegseth's most direct public rebukes of the media since the conflict's onset and coincided with operational updates, including US claims of striking over 7,000 targets across Iran and significantly diminishing Tehran’s missile and drone capabilities.

His criticisms extended beyond military coverage, alleging that Iran was disseminating “fake AI-generated images” and suggesting that some journalists had been deceived. He noted that the Iranian regime is attempting to manipulate perceptions while imposing information restrictions through blackouts and internal controls.

While condemning the media, Hegseth framed his message as one directed at the public rather than journalists. He insisted that Americans should recognize that the administration views the campaign as limited, focused on concrete objectives and tied to national security rather than nation-building.

This confrontation mirrors a wider trend in Trump-era politics, where media coverage of military and national security is often entangled in broader political disputes over credibility, patriotism, and public trust. Senior officials in the administration often argue that hostile reporting undermines support for their policies.

Historically, US administrations have frequently clashed with the press during wartime, particularly when casualties rise or military claims are scrutinized. However, Hegseth’s rhetoric stood out for its bluntness, positioning the media as part of the political battleground as the Pentagon strives to maintain public support for its initiatives.