Khamenei has not been seen by Iranians since his choice on Sunday by a clerical meeting, and his first feedback got here in an announcement learn out by a tv presenter on Thursday. In them, he vowed to maintain the Strait of Hormuz shut and referred to as on neighboring nations to shut US bases on their territory or danger Iran concentrating on them.
An Iranian official instructed Reuters on Wednesday that the newly appointed supreme chief was flippantly injured however was persevering with to function, after state tv described him as war-wounded.
“We all know the brand new so-called not-so-supreme chief is wounded and sure disfigured. He put out an announcement yesterday. A weak one, truly, however there was no voice and there was no video. It was a written assertion,” Hegseth instructed a briefing.
“Iran has loads of cameras and loads of voice recorders. Why a written assertion? I believe you realize why. His father is useless. He is scared, he is injured, he is on the run, and he lacks legitimacy.”
Concerning Khamenei’s threats towards the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth acknowledged that the US won’t permit transport within the Strait of Hormuz to be contested by Iran.
He famous that there isn’t any clear proof that Iran has positioned mines within the Strait of Hormuz, which contrasts with information stories earlier this week suggesting Iran had deployed a couple of dozen mines within the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Requested about the potential of mines within the Strait, Hegseth stated: “We have heard them discuss it identical to you’ve got reported recklessly and wildly about it. However … we have now no clear proof of that.” Hegseth’s feedback come as america and different nations face spiking oil and gasoline costs, with oil costs hovering close to $100 a barrel on Friday.