White House Condemns CNN for Airing Iranian Leader's Remarks

The Trump administration criticized the network for broadcasting excerpts of the new supreme leader's first public statement.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:05am by Ben Kaplan

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The Trump administration has denounced CNN for airing a portion of the new Iranian supreme leader's first public statement since he took office. The White House accused the network of 'regurgitating quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists' and becoming the 'murderous Iranian Regime's version of Pravda'. CNN defended its decision, stating that the remarks were a 'critical component in helping audiences understand where this conflict is heading' and were aired for their 'obvious news value'.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the delicate balance journalists must strike when reporting on adversarial nations during wartime. While the administration views the coverage as aiding the enemy, media outlets argue that informing the public about the perspectives of all sides is a core journalistic responsibility.

The details

The White House criticized CNN for airing 'four straight minutes of uninterrupted Iranian state TV' featuring the remarks of the new Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, during his first public statement since succeeding his father. The administration claimed the network was 'regurgitating quotes and unverified information from Iranian terrorists' and had become the 'murderous Iranian Regime's version of Pravda'. CNN defended its decision, stating that the remarks were a 'critical component in helping audiences understand where this conflict is heading' and were aired for their 'obvious news value'.

  • On March 11, 2026, the White House communications director criticized CNN anchor Erin Burnett's 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 first public statement.

The players

CNN

A major American news network that aired excerpts of the new Iranian supreme leader's first public statement.

White House

The administration of former President Donald Trump, which condemned CNN for its coverage of the Iranian leader's remarks.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

The new supreme leader of Iran, whose first public statement since taking office was the subject of the controversy.

Steven Cheung

The White House communications director who criticized CNN's coverage of the Iranian regime.

Erin Burnett

A CNN anchor who interviewed a former Iranian nuclear negotiator, drawing criticism from the White House.

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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

What’s next

The White House has not indicated any further actions it plans to take in response to CNN's coverage of the Iranian leader's remarks.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media, particularly when it comes to reporting on adversarial nations during times of conflict. While the White House views such coverage as aiding the enemy, journalists argue that informing the public about all perspectives is a core responsibility, even if those perspectives are critical of the United States.