US Says Iran’s New Supreme Leader “Wounded and Likely Disfigured” as Strikes Target Military Capacity
Tensions in the Middle East escalated further as the United States claimed that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been wounded and is likely disfigured following a series of intensified airstrikes targeting Iran’s military infrastructure.
Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Iranian leadership is currently in hiding while American and allied forces continue to strike military facilities across Iran.
US Claims Major Damage to Iran’s Military Capability
According to Hegseth, the ongoing military campaign is aimed not only at destroying Iran’s existing missile stockpiles but also at crippling its ability to produce new weapons.
He stated that US forces are actively targeting missile factories, storage facilities and defense-related industries to ensure Iran cannot rebuild its arsenal. Hegseth claimed that Iran’s missile capacity has already been reduced dramatically and that the country’s air force, air defense systems, and navy have been severely weakened.
“Our operations are focused on eliminating both the missiles they possess and their capability to manufacture more,” he told reporters, adding that several Iranian defense companies could soon be rendered inoperative.
Pentagon: Thousands of Targets Hit
US military officials said thousands of targets across Iran have been struck since the campaign intensified. Dan Caine told reporters that more than 6,000 targets had been attacked so far, including missile launch sites, drone facilities, naval assets, and weapons depots.
He added that the US military is also focusing on Iranian naval activities in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The waterway handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments and has seen increasing tensions during the conflict.
Caine said the United States is working to dismantle Iran’s capability to mine the strait or attack commercial shipping.
Rising Regional Tensions
Meanwhile, the wider regional conflict continues to intensify. In Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun said Israel has not responded to his proposal for direct negotiations aimed at reducing tensions with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Israel has continued air operations in Lebanon, targeting what it describes as Hezbollah weapons storage facilities, command centers and financial networks.
Investigation After Strike on School
Questions were also raised during the Pentagon briefing about reports of a strike that allegedly hit a girls’ primary school in the Iranian city of Minab.
Hegseth said US Central Command has launched an independent investigation into the incident, stressing that US and Israeli forces do not deliberately target civilians.
US Plane Crash Kills Six Crew Members
In a separate development, the US military confirmed that all six crew members aboard a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker died after the aircraft crashed over western Iraq.
Officials said the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Pressure Mounts Amid Rising Oil Concerns
The conflict has also raised fears of disruptions to global energy supplies. Analysts warn that instability around the Strait of Hormuz could push oil prices higher, as millions of barrels of crude oil pass through the narrow maritime corridor every day.
Despite the rising pressure, US officials insist that military operations will continue until Iran’s ability to threaten regional security and global shipping is significantly reduced.
