US President Donald Trump is said to have told aides he was willing to end the war involving the US and Israel against Iran, even if the strategic Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed, leaving the complex issue for later resolution, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing sources within his administration. Reuters noted it was unable to immediately verify the report.
Pentagon investment report fuels debate
Separately, a broker representing US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth allegedly attempted a multi-million-dollar investment in the Defense Industrials Active ETF shortly before the US-Israel conflict with Iran began, according to a report by the Financial Times published Monday. The Pentagon denied the claim and demanded a retraction.
Pentagon calls report “false”
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated via X that the Financial Times article is “completely false and fabricated” and requested an immediate retraction. Despite this, the story remains featured on the digital edition of the FT.
Investment details remain unclear
The FT report, citing three unnamed sources, said the broker approached BlackRock in February regarding the ETF investment. The deal did not proceed because the fund, established in May 2025, was not available for Morgan Stanley clients. The report did not clarify the broker’s authority or whether Secretary Hegseth was personally aware of the attempted investment. Parnell reaffirmed that neither Hegseth nor his representatives contacted BlackRock regarding any such transaction.
Neither BlackRock nor Morgan Stanley immediately responded to Reuters requests for comment on the report.
Source: CNA
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