WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - The Federal Communications Commission could accelerate reviews of licenses held by broadcast television stations, agency Chair Brendan Carr told Reuters, as he intensifies efforts to investigate news media companies and faces pressure from President Donald Trump.

Carr's threat, targeting unspecified broadcasters, amplified Donald Trump's criticism of coverage by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr’s warning that television broadcasters could face scrutiny over their coverage of the U.S.’s war in Iran is drawing bipartisan criticism and prompting quiet concern among Republicans who fear the rhetoric could backfire politically heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

The Chairman of the FCC threatened to revoke licenses for news outlets over their coverage of the Iran war. A journalism advocacy organization said the Chairman’s threats

President Donald Trump continues to make false and unproven claims about the war in Iran. Trump claimed Monday that “nobody” expected Iran to retaliate by targeting US allies in the region. In fact, various experts had publicly warned that Iran might or would likely respond this way – and top Iranian officials had themselves vowed that Iran would target nearby US allies if attacked.