Pentagon rejects report that Hegseth attempted defence investments before Iran attack

US warfare caput Pete Hegseth’s adjunct Sean Parnell connected Tuesday dismissed the study claiming that his broker explored options to put successful defence-linked assets soon earlier the US-Israeli subject enactment against Iran.

He demanded "immediate retraction" of the report."This allegation is wholly mendacious and fabricated. Neither Secretary Hegseth nor immoderate of his representatives approached BlackRock astir immoderate specified investment. This is yet different baseless, dishonest smear designed to mislead the public," helium said."We request an contiguous retraction. Secretary Hegseth and the Department of War stay unwavering successful their committedness to the highest standards of morals and strict adherence to each applicable laws and regulations," helium added.

The study published successful Financial Times had said that a broker linked to Morgan Stanley contacted BlackRock successful February astir investing a multimillion-dollar magnitude successful a defence-focused exchange-traded fund, conscionable weeks earlier the US joined Israel successful carrying retired strikes connected Tehran. The concern ne'er went done due to the fact that the fund, launched past year, was not yet accessible connected Morgan Stanley’s platform. The study did not specify the broker’s level of autarkic authorization oregon whether Hegseth knew astir the projected move. BlackRock declined to comment, portion Morgan Stanley and the United States Department of Defense did not instantly respond to requests for comment.