U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been systematically providing President Donald Trump with distorted and overly optimistic information about the progress of the military operation against Iran. This was reported by administration sources cited by The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.
According to the papers, Hegseth regularly shows Trump short videos of successful American airstrikes, emphasizing the United States’ “complete dominance” in Iranian skies and an impending “decisive victory.” These reports create the impression that the conflict, which began more than five weeks ago, is unfolding entirely in Washington’s favor.
However, administration officials say the real picture is much more complicated. There have been confirmed cases of U.S. equipment losses, including a downed F-15E fighter and a damaged A-10 attack aircraft, as well as difficult rescue operations that contradict claims of “unquestioned airspace control.”
“Pete isn’t telling the president the truth. As a result, the president goes before the public and repeats misleading information,” The Washington Post quotes a White House source as saying.
Sources told the outlets that Hegseth downplays the scale of Iranian resistance, exaggerates the number of destroyed Iranian missiles and drones, and misrepresents the volume of launches from Tehran.
The Pentagon called the publication “false and propagandistic,” but the scandal has already sparked serious concern inside the administration. Critics fear that distorted reports could lead to misguided strategic decisions amid ongoing strikes, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the growing economic impact of the conflict.
President Trump has repeatedly echoed talking points about the operation’s “imminent success,” which, as it now appears, were based on information from his defense secretary.
The situation is developing amid reports of possible negotiations and threats of new strikes. So far, the White House has not issued an official comment regarding the accusations against Hegseth.
This story adds further tension to the already strained dynamics within Trump’s team, where significant personnel changes have recently occurred in the Pentagon’s top command.