Pentagon denies report that Defense Secretary's broker sought to buy defense fund before Iran attack
The U.S. Department of the Army has dismissed reports claiming Peter Hagedorn, acting secretary of war Pete Hegseth's personal financial advisor, attempted a major investment in BlackRock's $3 billion equity hedge fund prior to anticipated Iranian strikes on Israel and Gaza.
Perspectives
A broker for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to make a large investment in major defense companies leading up to an attack on Iran.
— [Mar 31, 02:17] US defense secretary's broker looked to buy defense fund before Iran attack – report (Rappler)The Pentagon has denied the Financial Times' reports that Hegseth attempted these investments prior to military action against Israel and Iran.
— [Mar 31, 02:58] US Defence Secretary Hegseth's broker looked to buy defence fund before Iran attack (Livemint)A report by the Financial Times states that a Morgan Stanley-affiliated brokerage firm attempted significant investments in defense firms weeks prior to an anticipated conflict.
— [Mar 31, 02:58] US Defence Secretary Hegseth's broker looked to buy defence fund before Iran attack (Livemint)BlackRock manages a USD $4.7 billion equity portfolio focused on companies expected to benefit from increased government spending due to geopolitical tensions.
— [Mar 31, 02:58] Hegseth Broker Eyed Defence Fund Before Iran StrikesThe Financial Times reported that a broker for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted but failed to make an investment in BlackRock's defense ETF shortly before the US-Israeli attack on Iran, citing reasons such as unavailability and lack of authorization. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell refuted these claims entirely while broader scrutiny continues regarding trades made ahead of major policy decisions like those by President Trump.
According to The Financial Times, Hegseth's broker at Morgan Stanley attempted but ultimately failed to secure an investment in BlackRock iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF ahead of the Iran war. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell strongly denied these claims as false and fabricated on X (formerly Twitter).