Iran – White House Rejects CNN Report on Strait of Hormuz Planning
Iran – The White House has sharply criticized a recent report by CNN that questioned whether the United States had prepared for a potential Iranian attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz during the current military campaign against Tehran. Officials in Washington said the report misrepresented long-standing defense planning related to the operation targeting Iran’s military infrastructure.
White House Challenges Accuracy of CNN Report
In a strongly worded statement, the White House accused the network of publishing misleading claims about US strategy during the ongoing campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. Officials argued that the report relied on inaccurate information and unnamed political sources.
The statement said the report suggested that key US agencies, including the Pentagon and the National Security Council, had not anticipated Iran potentially shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. According to the White House, that assertion is incorrect and does not reflect the reality of American military planning.
Officials said the possibility of Iran attempting to disrupt maritime traffic in the strait has been part of strategic planning for many years.
Longstanding Contingency Planning for Strait of Hormuz
White House representatives emphasized that planning for such a scenario has been in place for decades. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that the US military has long considered the risk that Iran could attempt to close the strait if tensions escalate.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important waterways in the world, handling a large share of global oil shipments. Because of its importance to international trade and energy supplies, US defense planners have historically treated threats to the route as a major security concern.
Officials said the design of Operation Epic Fury specifically reflects these strategic considerations.
Operation Epic Fury Targets Iranian Military Capabilities
According to the White House statement, the ongoing military campaign is intended to significantly weaken Iran’s ability to threaten shipping routes in the region. The operation focuses on dismantling key components of Iran’s military capabilities that could be used to disrupt maritime navigation.
These targets include Iran’s naval assets, missile systems, drone operations, and related launch infrastructure. By reducing these capabilities, US officials say the campaign aims to prevent any serious attempt to block international shipping lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The administration maintains that safeguarding global trade routes remains a critical objective of the operation.
Lawmakers Reject Claims Raised in Report
Several US lawmakers who recently attended classified briefings about the campaign also challenged the claims referenced in the CNN report.
Senator Tom Cotton, who serves as chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that the suggestion that the United States failed to prepare for such a contingency was inaccurate. Cotton said US defense planning has long included scenarios involving Iran attempting to close the strategic waterway.
Another senator present at the briefing, Tim Sheehy, also dismissed the claim that the possibility had not been considered. He said lawmakers and national security officials have been aware for years that Iran might attempt such a move if it faced increasing military pressure.
According to Sheehy, the administration provided detailed briefings confirming that the scenario had been evaluated as part of broader strategic planning.
Administration Reaffirms Objectives of Military Campaign
The White House said Operation Epic Fury remains focused on weakening Iran’s military capabilities and preventing potential threats to global security. Officials stated that the campaign is intended to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, reduce naval capacity, and limit support for armed groups aligned with Tehran.
The administration also reiterated its broader objective of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons that could threaten international stability.
According to the White House, the campaign will continue to pursue these goals while maintaining pressure on Iran’s military assets and regional influence.