Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr issued a stark warning to broadcasters on Saturday, stating they could lose their licenses for airing what he described as 'hoaxes and news distortions' in coverage of the war involving the United States and Iran.

Carr posted the message on X, reposting a Truth Social complaint from President Donald Trump about media reports on Iranian strikes against U.S. Air Force refueling planes stationed in Saudi Arabia. Trump criticized headlines from outlets including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, claiming they falsely suggested five tanker planes had been destroyed when four suffered virtually no damage and were already back in service. 'The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (in particular), and other Lowlife "Papers" and Media actually want us to lose the War,' Trump wrote.

'Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions - also known as the fake news - have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up,' Carr wrote. 'The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not.'

The dispute arises amid escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Recent reports have covered U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities and military targets, as well as Iranian retaliatory actions, including attacks on energy infrastructure and U.S. assets in the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has accused media of unflattering coverage that undermines national support for the operations.

Broadcasters hold FCC licenses for local stations, renewed every eight years, which require serving the public interest. The agency does not directly license national networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, or Fox, though affiliated local stations could face scrutiny. Carr emphasized that Americans subsidize broadcasters through free access to public airwaves worth billions of dollars.

This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted media over content. Trump previously suggested revoking licenses for negative coverage, and Carr has pursued investigations into news outlets. The FCC's authority over broadcast content remains limited by the First Amendment and the Communications Act, which prohibit censorship.

Critics view Carr's statement as a threat to press freedom. Will Creeley, legal director at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, called it an 'authoritarian warning' that risks licenses for reporting the government dislikes. Carr has argued that low media trust, recently at 9%, justifies scrutiny to restore public confidence.

The FCC has rarely revoked licenses for news content; the last major case was decades ago. Broadcasters now face potential reviews as renewals approach, amid heightened tensions over war reporting.