CNN is standing by its reporting on the Iran war after retired Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt challenged the network’s anonymous sourcing during a Saturday interview. Kimmitt questioned the accuracy of CNN’s report that Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine was privately seeking an ‘off-ramp’ in the conflict.
Background
CNN’s report, which cited three unnamed sources, stated that Caine had told senior Trump administration officials that airpower alone was unlikely to accomplish the president’s objectives in Iran. The report also included an on-the-record response from Caine’s spokesman, Joseph Holstead, who rejected the anonymous descriptions of Caine’s private discussions.
Kimmitt, who appeared on CNN, criticized the network’s sourcing and said that the United States had not yet accomplished its central objectives involving Iran’s nuclear program, missile capabilities, and support for regional proxies. He also noted that Caine had to consider the threat from China and the military resources available to other combatant commanders while advising the president about Iran.
CNN did not respond to questions about how it vetted the anonymous sources or Kimmitt’s claim that earlier anonymously sourced information about the negotiations was inaccurate. The network’s spokesperson simply stated, ‘We stand by our reporting.’
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
