The Pentagon has excluded photographers from press briefings addressing the U.S.-Israeli operations in Iran after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s staff deemed recent images of him unflattering.
These photos originated from the March 2 briefing, held shortly after a joint military strike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28. The event marked Hegseth’s first appearance in the briefing room and direct engagement with reporters since June 26.
Major news organizations, including The Associated Press, Reuters, and Getty Images, sent photographers to document the session featuring Hegseth alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Once published—with global distribution through licensing—Hegseth’s team voiced objections to his appearance, two individuals familiar with the matter revealed. They requested anonymity over fears of reprisal. As a result, aides blocked photographers from two follow-up briefings on March 4 and March 10.
Official Pentagon Response
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson issued a statement explaining the policy: “In order to use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively, we are allowing one representative per news outlet if uncredentialed, excluding pool. Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use. If that hurts the business model for certain news outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential.”
Hegseth’s Media Dynamics
A former Fox News host, Hegseth maintains a strained rapport with journalists, often branding unfavorable stories as “fake news” and aligning with former President Donald Trump’s distrust of traditional media.
Press advocacy groups and oversight organizations have criticized the Pentagon under Hegseth for limiting reporter access, curbing visibility into military activities, and selecting coverage that aligns with preferred narratives over comprehensive accounts.
