Trump Administration Denounces CNN for Airing Messages from Iranian Leaders

The White House criticized the network for broadcasting remarks from Iran's new supreme leader.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:18am by Ben Kaplan

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

Why it matters

The incident highlights the delicate balance journalists must strike in reporting on adversarial nations during wartime, as the government seeks to control the narrative. It also raises questions about press freedom and the responsibility of American media to cover perspectives from countries viewed as enemies.

The details

CNN aired a portion of the remarks by Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, his first public statement since succeeding his father who was killed in an Israeli air strike. The White House criticized CNN for airing 'four straight minutes of uninterrupted Iranian state TV' and accused the network of 'regurgitating quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists'. Two days earlier, the White House had taken issue with a CNN anchor's interview with a former Iranian nuclear negotiator. CNN defended its decision, noting that other major news outlets also aired portions of the ayatollah's statement, and said the remarks were newsworthy in helping audiences understand the conflict.

  • On March 10, 2026, the White House criticized CNN for an interview with a former Iranian nuclear negotiator.
  • On March 12, 2026, the White House denounced CNN for airing a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader's public statement.

The players

CNN

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

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who has long been a critic of CNN, dating back to his first term in office.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

The new supreme leader of Iran, who delivered his first public statement since succeeding his father, who was killed in an Israeli air strike.

Steven Cheung

The White House communications director who took issue with a CNN anchor's interview with a former Iranian nuclear negotiator.

Seyed 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 tensions between the U.S. government and the media over coverage of adversarial nations, as well as the delicate balance journalists must strike in reporting on sensitive geopolitical conflicts. It underscores the importance of press freedom and the media's responsibility to inform the public, even when reporting on perspectives from countries viewed as enemies.