Senator John Fetterman has strongly criticized the United States media, asserting that its reporting on Operation Epic Fury has been selectively focused, thereby aiding Iran. Fetterman contends that this coverage has minimized the military operation's achievements during its initial 30 days of engagement.

Fetterman Accuses Press of Reinforcing Iranian Strategy

Speaking to The Post on Tuesday, Senator Fetterman stated that the media's approach allows Iran to learn and benefit from the coverage. He argued that the press disproportionately amplifies minor chaos created by Iran while overlooking the significant military setbacks Tehran has sustained.

"The media’s selective coverage rewards and reinforces Iran’s strategy," Fetterman noted. He contrasted this with the reality, claiming the media ignores the "99% of Iran’s beatdown" while focusing on the "1% chaos Iran creates."

Focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Economic Narratives

A significant portion of the media coverage has centered on the Strait of Hormuz. This strait is a vital maritime chokepoint, handling approximately one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil supply.

Tehran unilaterally closed the strait following military strikes initiated by the US and Israel against the regime on February 28. Fetterman pointed out that coverage often depicts the global economy as "spiraling" by citing domestic gas prices in the US.

However, he suggested this reporting omits the context that energy costs were significantly higher just a few years prior. Gas prices in the US peaked near $5 per gallon in 2022, during a period when inflation reached a 40-year high under former President Joe Biden.

Critiques of War Authorization and Political Opposition

News articles and opinion pieces have also questioned President Trump's authority to launch the war without explicit congressional approval. These reports often cite a lack of clear justification provided to the American public.

Fetterman referenced criticism from Congressional Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer reportedly shared a New York Times screenshot, claiming the "White House failed to prepare for rising oil prices from his reckless war."

In a phone interview Tuesday, President Trump countered these concerns. He asserted that American forces would not remain in Iran for "too much longer" and predicted the strait would "automatically open" once troops departed.

Assessing Operation Epic Fury Against Stated Goals

Fetterman further contended that the media coverage fails to evaluate the conflict based on the Trump administration's stated objectives. These goals were detailed during a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.

The stated intentions included destroying Tehran’s missile and drone capabilities, crippling its navy, and thwarting any ambitions for nuclear weapons. Hegseth recently highlighted recent successful strikes, including one on an ammunition depot in Isfahan that resulted in a mushroom cloud-shaped fire.

The US has struck 11,000 targets in the first 30 days, reportedly destroying 90% of Iran's missiles and 95% of its drones. Furthermore, airstrikes allegedly eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous senior officials, which the administration claimed spurred negotiations with "new" leadership.

Success Metrics and Underlying Causes

Fetterman argued that by historical warfare metrics, Operation Epic Fury has been "wildly successful." He linked the conflict directly to Iran’s stated policies, saying, "If Iran had abandoned its nuclear ambitions and vow of ‘Death to America and Israel’ there would be no Epic Fury."

He referenced the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack, which resulted in 1,200 deaths, including 46 Americans, as part of the context ignored by the press. Fetterman questioned why the joint US-Israeli decision to "hold Iran fully accountable" through this prosecution of the war has been largely overlooked in mainstream reporting.