WASHINGTON — The White House on Friday issued a blistering rebuttal to reports suggesting the Trump administration failed to anticipate Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, calling the allegations “100% fake news” and “preposterous.”
The denial, led by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, comes as the administration faces mounting pressure over skyrocketing energy prices and the effective shutdown of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints following the launch of Operation Epic Fury.
The Allegations of Strategic Oversight
The controversy erupted following a CNN report, citing multiple sources familiar with classified briefings, which claimed the Pentagon and National Security Council (NSC) significantly underestimated Tehran’s willingness to shutter the Strait.
According to the report, administration officials believed Iran would not risk the economic self-harm of a closure. Sources alleged that during recent closed-door sessions, top officials acknowledged to lawmakers that a full contingency plan for the current blockade was not in place.
The Administration’s Counter-Offensive
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to social media and the briefing room to dismantle the narrative, asserting that the U.S. military has planned for this exact scenario for decades.
“This story is 100% FAKE NEWS,” Leavitt stated. “The idea that Chairman Cain and Secretary Hegseth weren’t prepared for this possibility is PREPOSTEROUS. The President was fully briefed, and a goal of the Operation itself is to deprive [Iran] of their ability to close the Strait.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth joined the fray during a Pentagon briefing, dismissing the claims as “patently ridiculous.” Hegseth argued that the U.S. is currently “decimating” the Iranian regime’s military capabilities at an unprecedented pace.
Operational Reality vs. Official Rhetoric
Despite the administration’s confident stance, the tactical situation in the Persian Gulf remains fraught:
- Hormuz Transit: While Hegseth insists the Strait is “open” if Iran stops firing, global shipping firms have largely halted transits.
- Economic Impact: Benchmark crude prices have surged past $100 a barrel, prompting the administration to consider Jones Act waivers and coordinated oil reserve releases.
- Military Status: Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine acknowledged the “tactically complex environment,” noting that while there is no clear evidence of new Iranian mines, surface-to-surface missile threats remain high.
‘Operation Epic Fury’ Objectives
The administration reaffirmed that the ongoing military campaign is designed specifically to resolve the Hormuz threat by:
- Annihilating the Iranian Navy and mine-laying vessels.
- Destroying ballistic missile production infrastructure.
- Ensuring freedom of navigation through overwhelming force.
Leavitt emphasized that President Trump “will not allow rogue Iranian terrorists to stop the free flow of energy,” framing the ongoing strikes as a “noble mission” to protect the global economy.
