Defense Secretary Hegseth denied U.S. unpreparedness for Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, calling it false and citing U.S.-Israel strikes that crippled Iran’s military.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed reports that the U.S. had not planned for Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, calling them "patently ridiculous," and asserting that such scenarios have been part of military planning for decades. He claimed U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have crippled Iran’s military capabilities, reduced missile production by over 90%, and rendered Iran’s forces combat-ineffective. Despite ongoing attacks on shipping and rising oil prices, Hegseth maintained the strait remains open, blaming Iran’s actions for disruptions. He criticized CNN and other media outlets for spreading "fake news," urged a change in ownership at CNN, and dismissed concerns about the administration’s preparedness, sparking criticism over transparency and government influence on press coverage.