The United States has intensified its military campaign against Iran, with senior American officials claiming that Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been wounded and may have suffered severe injuries during recent strikes.
Speaking at a briefing at the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Iranian leadership was now operating from hiding as American and allied forces continued a broad offensive against the country’s military infrastructure.
Campaign Focused on Weapons Capability
Hegseth said the main objective of the operation is to destroy Iran’s ability to manufacture and deploy advanced weapons. According to him, US forces are targeting missile stockpiles, production facilities and defense industries to prevent Iran from rebuilding its arsenal.
He told reporters that Iran’s missile capacity has already been drastically reduced and that its conventional military power—including air defenses, naval assets and missile systems—has suffered heavy damage in the ongoing strikes.
Thousands of Targets Hit
During the same briefing, Dan Caine said American forces have conducted attacks on thousands of military targets across Iran. These include missile launch sites, drone infrastructure, naval installations and weapons storage facilities.
Caine also highlighted operations aimed at neutralizing Iran’s ability to disrupt maritime traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.
The United States has accused Iran of attempting to threaten commercial shipping in the area and said efforts are underway to dismantle Iran’s mine-laying capabilities in the waterway.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
The broader regional conflict has also spilled over into Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israel has not responded to his proposal for direct talks aimed at easing tensions linked to the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.
Israel has continued airstrikes across parts of Lebanon, saying the operations target Hezbollah’s military assets, command centers and financial networks.
Investigation into Civilian Strike Claims
During the Pentagon briefing, reporters questioned US officials about allegations that a recent strike hit a girls’ primary school in the Iranian city of Minab.
Hegseth said US Central Command has launched an investigation into the incident, adding that American and Israeli forces do not deliberately target civilians.
Six US Aircrew Die in Iraq Plane Crash
Separately, the US military confirmed that all six crew members aboard a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker died after the aircraft crashed in western Iraq.
Officials said the crash was not caused by enemy fire and that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.
Global Energy Concerns Grow
The escalating conflict has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz carries a significant portion of the world’s oil supply, and any prolonged instability in the area could affect international energy prices.
Despite the risks, US officials said military operations will continue until Iran’s military capabilities and threats to international shipping are significantly reduced.
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