CNN is standing by its reporting on the U.S. military's engagement with Iran, including claims about Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine's private discussions, after retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt publicly challenged the network's reliance on unnamed sources. The network stated it stands by its reporting in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Kimmitt raised concerns during a Saturday interview, questioning the accuracy of anonymously sourced information that was circulating. He pointed to previous anonymous reports that contradicted later confirmations of ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. By the time of Kimmitt's appearance, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance had publicly acknowledged that discussions were taking place.
Trump stated he was personally involved in these discussions, while Vance told Fox News Digital that American officials were communicating with Iran to restore oil and gas traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Natalie Baldassarre, a spokesperson for the Republican National Committee, defended Trump's foreign policy approach, calling it effective and politically popular.
CNN's reporting, citing three sources familiar with the matter, stated that Caine had privately informed senior Trump administration officials that airpower alone might not achieve Trump's objectives and that certain escalation options carried significant risks. One anonymous source quoted in the CNN article described Caine as looking for an "off-ramp" from the conflict.
Joseph Holstead, a public affairs adviser to Caine, declined to comment on CNN's report or Kimmitt's assessment. However, Holstead agreed that the CNN sources lacked firsthand knowledge of the described conversations and stated that the Chairman's confidential discussions are not to be commented on, especially "anonymous, agenda-driven characterizations of those conversations by sources who were not privy to them."
Kimmitt's critique extended beyond the sourcing, as he argued that the U.S. had not yet achieved its primary objectives concerning Iran's nuclear program, missile capabilities, and support for regional proxies. He acknowledged that issues related to the Strait of Hormuz were undeniable.
During the interview, CNN anchor Omar Jimenez noted that reporters like himself often prefer officials to provide on-the-record statements, a sentiment Kimmitt echoed. The dispute over sourcing occurred as the Trump administration continued negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command had reportedly halted attacks against Iranian military targets after 13 consecutive days of strikes, coinciding with ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.