'Virtual TREASON': Donald Trump slams media over Iran war coverage

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on sections of the American media over their coverage of the ongoing conflict involving Iran accusing news outlets of portraying Tehran in a stronger position than it actually isIn a post shared on Truth Social Trump alleged that media organisations were spreading misleading narratives about Iranrsquos military capabilities and claimed such reporting was helping the country by creating ldquofalse hoperdquo He described the coverage as ldquovirtual treasonrdquo and accused journalists of ldquoaiding and abetting the enemyrdquoldquoWhen the Fake News says that the Iranian enemy is doing well militarily against us its virtual TREASONrdquo Trump wrote He further alleged that the reports were ldquofalserdquo and ldquopreposterousrdquo and criticised what he called ldquoAmerican cowardsrdquo for allegedly rooting against the countryTrump claims Iranrsquos military capabilities have collapsedThe US President also made a series of sweeping claims about Iranrsquos military condition asserting that the countryrsquos naval and air power had been completely dismantledAccording to Trump Iranrsquos navy no longer exists and its air force and military technology infrastructure have been destroyed He additionally claimed that the countryrsquos leadership structure had collapsed and described Iran as facing severe economic difficultiesTrump stated that all 159 ships in Iranrsquos navy had sunk though no independent confirmation of the claim has emergedThe remarks come amid heightened tensions in the region and continued military and political standoffs involving the United States Iran and IsraelTrump says US will prevail lsquopeacefully or otherwisersquoSpeaking to reporters before departing for Beijing for a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Trump repeated his claims that Iranrsquos military had been ldquodecimatedrdquoWhen asked whether China could play a role in easing tensions with Iran Trump said he did not believe American intervention required outside assistanceldquoWersquoll win it one way or the other Wersquoll win it peacefully or otherwiserdquo Trump told reporters while again asserting that Iranrsquos military infrastructure had been severely weakenedHe also described the ongoing blockade measures as ldquo100 per cent effectiverdquo and warned that Iran would either ldquodo the right thingrdquo or face further consequencesIran blames US for escalating tensionsMeanwhile Iran strongly criticised Washingtonrsquos actions and rhetoric Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of acting in bad faith and said American policies were obstructing efforts to restore peace in the regionAccording to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV Araghchi made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with Norwayrsquos deputy foreign minister He criticised what he described as provocative statements and an aggressive approach by the US administrationAraghchi said the ldquolack of good faith and dishonestyrdquo from Washington remained the biggest obstacle to ending the conflict He also blamed the United States and Israel for worsening tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and accused them of continuing pressure tactics through maritime blockades on Iranian portsTensions remain high amid diplomatic uncertaintyThe exchange of statements highlights the growing strain between Washington and Tehran as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain Trumprsquos latest remarks have added to already heated rhetoric surrounding the conflict while Iran continues to accuse the United States of escalating instability in the regionThe developments also come at a time when global attention is focused on Trumprsquos upcoming talks in China where regional security and international trade issues are expected to feature prominentlyWith inputs from ANI