Pentagon briefing drought nears 1-year mark amid Iran tension

Celebrities such as Gene Simmons and Gerard Butler have showed up in the briefing room, but Pentagon spokespeople haven't briefed on camera since May 2018.

By MICHAEL CALDERONE 05/29/2019 05:04 AM EDT Updated 05/29/2019 12:51 PM EDT

The mood in the Pentagon briefing room was tense Friday when officials went on the record for the first time to blame Iran for recent flare-ups in the Middle East.

Two high-ranking Pentagon officials told reporters that U.S. intelligence had linked Iran to attacks on oil tankers near the Persian Gulf and in Baghdad’s Green Zone. The duo, speaking after weeks of anonymous leaks, did not provide any direct evidence or reveal sources who could back up the claim.

“That sounds like WMD,” Task & Purpose reporter Jeff Schogol said, referring to the case the George W. Bush administration made for war before the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

One of the pair, Vice Admiral Michael Gilday, replied that officials had learned through “intelligence reporting” that Iran was responsible, according to a transcript of the session, which was on the record but not on camera. Schogol, who wasn't named in the transcript but confirmed his questions, responded, "So, we have to take your word on it?”

The Pentagon press corps has chafed for months at what reporters see as a sharp decline in access to information, including limited access to officials during trips. Celebrities such as Kiss rocker Gene Simmons and actor Gerard Butler have showed up in the briefing room, but Friday will be a year since the Pentagon held an on-camera briefing with any department spokesperson.

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