Tech snafu keeps reporters out of White House conference call on Iran

A large group of reporters was effectively locked out of a last-minute White House briefing on Iran on Wednesday when the conference line malfunctioned.

Ten to 20 reporters who dialed in to a press call on national security adviser Michael Flynn’s announcement that the U.S. was “putting Iran on notice” heard nothing but ambient noise of other reporters — not the briefing.

Reporters were told that the briefing would be a press call and were caught by surprise when three National Security Council officials physically spoke to reporters in the White House briefing room.

{mosads}On the call — which the White House had initially said would be limited to 75 lines — reporters heard an echo chamber of “Hello? Hello?” as other journalists joined the conference.

At times, a female voice could be heard singing Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 chart-topper “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” but the actual briefing was unintelligible. At times, the voices of officials could be heard distantly, but more often nothing could be heard from the White House.

Dial-in information was provided just minutes before the briefing was scheduled to begin.

The call was intended to provide clarity on Flynn’s announcement, which provided scant details about what “put Iran on notice” meant practically.

“Recent Iranian actions, including a provocative ballistic missile launch and an attack against a Saudi naval vessel conducted by Iran-supported Houthi militants, underscore what should have been clear to the international community all along about Iran’s destabilizing behavior across the Middle East,” Flynn said.

“As of today, we are officially putting Iran on notice.”