The U.S. is at war in Iran. Six Americans have died. Military operations are ongoing across the Middle East. And somewhere inside the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth’s team is stressing over lighting angles.
According to sources familiar with the decision, independent press photographers were blocked from briefings on the Iran conflict because photos from a March 2 briefing made the Defense Secretary look bad, not because they were sensitive or secret but simply because they were unflattering.
Photographers from the Associated Press, Reuters, and Getty Images were turned away at the next two briefings. Since then, only Pentagon staff photographers have been allowed in – a setup that’s more about image control than reporting.
The March 2 briefing was significant. It came just days after the U.S. and Israel struck Iran and killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was Hegseth’s first time behind the Pentagon podium since June last year. Real war, real questions, cameras rolling, and someone decided that the resulting photos were a problem.
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Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the change was about “using space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively,” allowing one representative per outlet. Photos are immediately released online. And if the rule “hurts the business model” of certain outlets, Wilson suggested they apply for credentials. A creative explanation for a story that had nothing to do with space or business.
The context is what really makes this absurd.
Last year, Hegseth shared details of a sensitive military strike over Signal in a chat labeled SECRET/NOFORN. That same info went to his wife, brother, and personal attorney. At the time, the Pentagon insisted “no classified information was shared.” Somehow, sending secret war plans digitally is fine, but unflattering photos are a bridge too far.
This war on the press didn’t start with a JPEG.
In October, hundreds of credentialed reporters walked out after refusing to sign a policy banning them from seeking unapproved info. A new, largely right-wing press corps filled the spots, but they hadn’t seen Hegseth do a briefing on camera until March 2. Those photos apparently explain why.
At a later briefing, Hegseth spoke about an Iranian drone attack that killed six Americans at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. He said, “We control their fate. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front page news. I get it, the press only wants to make the president look bad. But try for once to report the reality,” before immediately pivoting to attack the press.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
