Trump Administration Denounces CNN for Airing Iranian Leader's Messages

The White House criticized the network for broadcasting portions of the new Iranian supreme leader's public statement.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:18pm by Ben Kaplan

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The Trump administration has denounced CNN for airing a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader's public statement, the second time in three days that the White House has targeted the network for reporting on how the Iranian regime is responding to American attacks. The administration claimed that CNN was 'regurgitating quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists' and becoming the 'murderous Iranian Regime's version of Pravda'.

Why it matters

The incident illustrates the delicate balance journalists must strike when reporting on adversarial nations during wartime, as the White House has accused CNN of airing 'propaganda' from Iran. It also raises questions about press freedom and the responsibilities of American media outlets to report diverse perspectives, even from countries viewed as enemies of the U.S.

The details

CNN aired a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike. The White House criticized CNN for broadcasting 'four straight minutes of uninterrupted Iranian state TV' and accused the network of 'regurgitating quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists'. Other news outlets, including The Associated Press and The New York Times, also reported on Khamenei's remarks, which included vows to keep up attacks on other Arab countries and plans to choke off the world's oil supply.

  • On March 13, 2026, the Trump administration denounced CNN for airing a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader's public statement.
  • Two days earlier, on March 11, 2026, the White House communications director criticized CNN anchor Erin Burnett's interview with a former Iranian nuclear negotiator.

The players

CNN

An American news network that aired portions of the new Iranian supreme leader's public statement, drawing criticism from the Trump administration.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who has long been a critic of CNN and has accused the network of being 'fake news'.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

The new supreme leader of Iran, who delivered a public statement that was partially aired by CNN.

Steven Cheung

The White House communications director, who criticized CNN for interviewing a former Iranian nuclear negotiator and accused the network of 'regurgitating quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists'.

Hossein Mousavian

A former Iranian nuclear negotiator who was interviewed by CNN anchor Erin Burnett.

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What they’re saying

“Fake news CNN just aired four straight minutes of uninterrupted Iranian state TV, run by the same psychotic and murderous regime that prided itself on brutally slaughtering Americans for 47 years.”

— White House

“Ever notice how CNN just regurgitates quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists? Total disgrace. They have become the murderous Iranian Regime's version of Pravda.”

— Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director

“The world is watching with anticipation which direction this war will take. Purported remarks from Iran's new supreme leader are a critical component in helping audiences understand where this conflict is heading and were aired for their obvious news value.”

— CNN

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between the White House and the media, particularly when it comes to reporting on adversarial nations during times of conflict. While journalists have a responsibility to provide diverse perspectives, the administration has accused CNN of airing 'propaganda' from Iran, raising questions about press freedom and the balance between national security and the public's right to information.