The Pentagon barred press photographers from briefings on the Iran conflict after officials objected to published images of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, drawing criticism from press freedom advocates.
The Defense Department has barred press photographers from Pentagon briefings on the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran after images of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were published that his staff considered “unflattering,” according to two people familiar with the decision who spoke anonymously for fear of retaliation. The restriction followed a March 2 briefing shortly after the joint military strike on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
After outlets including the Associated Press, Reuters and Getty Images published photos from the briefing, Hegseth’s aides decided to exclude photographers from subsequent briefings on March 4 and March 10.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the move was to manage space, stating: “Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use.” Press advocates criticized the decision as harmful to press freedom.
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