The Defense Department under Hegseth's leadership has strained relations with the media covering it. Most major media companies withdrew their reporters from the Pentagon rather than accepting the Trump administration's new rules limiting their movement and access to sources.

Their places at the Pentagon were taken by journalists from a newly formed press corps who agreed to the rules and mostly work for media outlets favorable to President Donald Trump.

The Pentagon issues passes to journalists who left their workplaces to attend Hegseth's war briefings. Although Hegseth rarely gives the floor to traditional media journalists, on Tuesday he called on one of them, Eric Schmitt from the New York Times.

The Times has sued the Trump administration to challenge Hegseth's rules, and a hearing on that case was held last week before Federal Judge Paul Friedman.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that the administration will not allow the Times to "pressure" it regarding the investigation into the bombing of a girls' school in Iran. Around 175 people were killed in that attack, including many students.

The New York Times yesterday reported, citing anonymous sources, that preliminary investigation findings suggest the US is responsible for the bombing. According to the report, the military believes they relied on outdated intelligence when selecting the target for the Tomahawk missile used in the attack.