White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News the administration is working "24/7" to portray President Trump’s campaign against Iran as a success despite rising public skepticism. Leavitt disputed media reports that the U.S. was unprepared for Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and said she personally rebutted CNN. Published reports say General Dan Caine warned Mr. Trump that strikes could prompt retaliatory closures; critics say the operation has cost 13 American service members and raised gas prices. The president and his team insist Iran’s capabilities have been severely degraded while opponents point to shifting objectives and widespread public disapproval.
Leavitt Pushes White House Narrative: Framing Trump’s Iran Campaign As A Success
Leavitt spoke to Lara Trump on Saturday about rising gas prices. / Fox News
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News she and her team are working "24/7" to present President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran as a clear success, pushing back against wide media skepticism and public concern.
Speaking with Lara Trump, Leavitt said the administration has redoubled its communications efforts to shape public perception of the strikes and their aftermath. "We’ve been working 24/7 here at the White House to make sure the American people understand how much of a tremendous success this operation has been over the past two weeks," she said.
The Pentagon has formally identified the six service members killed in Trump's war in Iran as Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, and Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30. / Department of Defense
Leavitt also said she spent "nearly an hour on the phone" with CNN this week disputing a report that the U.S. had been unprepared for Iran’s retaliation, which reportedly included a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that disrupted global oil shipments. According to published reports, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned the president multiple times that an attack could provoke retaliatory actions and close the critical shipping lane. The Wall Street Journal said Mr. Trump acknowledged those risks but proceeded with the operation—an effort that critics say has cost 13 American service members and driven gasoline prices higher.
"If you picked up The New York Times, you’d think that Iran is crushing the United States. It is quite the opposite," Leavitt told Fox News, disputing what she described as pessimistic press coverage.
Observers note the president’s stated objectives have shifted during the campaign. Mr. Trump, 79, has at times described aims ranging from rapid regime change to a potential need for ground forces, and has made strikingly personal remarks about how he will know the conflict is resolved.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted on Tuesday that President Donald Trump wasn’t just making things up to justify his war. / Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Public polling has shown broad disapproval of Mr. Trump’s actions in Iran—an unusual pattern compared with historical U.S. interventions, which often receive stronger early public support. In the opening strikes, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reported killed; his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been named successor and pledged to continue the conflict and measures affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
On his social network, Mr. Trump declared that "The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way," while also acknowledging that limited attacks—drones, mines or short-range missiles—could still threaten shipping in the waterway.
Trump has claimed that allies will come to the aid of the U.S. in getting the Strait open. / Truth Social
Defending the decision to strike, Leavitt argued that Iran’s threats to the global oil market and the closure of the strait reinforced the necessity of the operation. "The fact that the terrorists are holding the global oil industry hostage by threatening to shut down the Strait of Hormuz… just underscores the need for President Trump to launch this operation in the first place," she said, adding that the administration has a "plethora of solutions" to reopen the strait and bring down gas prices.
As the administration continues its public relations campaign, analysts and the public will be watching how operational outcomes, economic effects and political fallout reshape domestic support and diplomatic options.
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