U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said on Friday (March 13, 2026) he believes Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded.
"We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured," Mr. Hegseth told a press conference.
Mr. Khamenei issued a written statement on Thursday (March 12, 2026) but has remained in hiding since taking over from his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in bombing at the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on February 28.
Iranian officials have confirmed the new leader is wounded but have given no further detail.
The United States and Israel have struck more than 15,000 targets since the start of the Iran war late last month, Mr. Hegseth said.
“Between our air force and that of the Israelis, over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck. That’s well over 1,000 a day,” Mr. Hegseth told during the press conference, adding that Friday (March 13, 2026) would mark the highest volume of strikes yet in the campaign.
On Strait of Hormuz closure
There is no clear evidence that Iran has placed mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Mr. Hegseth told adding that U.S. will not allow shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to be contested by Iran.
The assessment by Mr. Hegseth contrasts with news reports earlier this week suggesting Iran had deployed about a dozen mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Asked about the possibility of mines in the Strait, Mr. Hegseth said: “We’ve heard them talk about it just like you’ve reported recklessly and wildly about it. But ... we have no clear evidence of that.”
Mr. Hegseth’s comments come as the United States and other countries face spiking oil and gas prices with the U.S-Israel war entering its 14th day, with oil prices hovering near $100 a barrel on Friday (March 13, 2026).
On strike on school in Iran’s Minab
The United States has designated an officer outside of U.S. Central Command to complete an investigation on a strike on an Iranian school, Mr. Hegseth said on Friday (March 13, 2026).
“I can report that CENTCOM has designated an investigating officer to complete a command investigation,” Mr. Hegseth told a press briefing.
Reuters first reported last week that an ongoing, internal U.S. military investigation showed U.S. forces were likely responsible for the strike on the girls’ school in southern Iran.
“The command investigation will take as long as necessary to address all the matters surrounding this incident. And the investigating officer is from outside CENTCOM and is a general officer,” Mr. Hegseth said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Published - March 13, 2026 06:21 pm IST
