WASHINGTON

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded" as the US and Israel continue attacking the country.

"We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured.

"He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice and there was no video. It was a written statement," Hegseth told a news conference alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In an interview scheduled to air Friday, President Donald Trump said he believes Khamenei "is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know," Trump said.

Since being selected by a clerical assembly on Sunday, Khamenei has not been seen publicly, and his initial remarks were broadcast Thursday in a statement read by a TV presenter.

Hegseth said Iran has "plenty of" cameras and voice recorders.

"Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father - dead. He's scared, he's injured, he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy," he added.

'Highest volume of strikes'

Hegseth claimed that Iran's leadership is "in no better shape, desperate and hiding."

"They've gone underground. That's what rats do," he added.

Turning to the ongoing operation against Iran, Hegseth said all of Iran's defense companies will be destroyed "soon, and very soon."

"Today will be yet again, the highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran," he added.

Caine, for his part, echoed Hegseth, saying Friday will be "our busiest days."

"This mission remains complex, dangerous and difficult," he added.

Hegseth said Trump "holds the card" and he will determine "the pace, the tempo and the timing of this conflict."

'That's not a strait we're going to allow to remain contested'

Turning to the Strait of Hormuz, Hegseth dismissed worries that the war with Iran would lead to a prolonged closure of the waterway.

Iran has been “exercising sheer desperation” in the Strait of Hormuz, he said, adding: “We have been dealing with it, and you don’t need to worry about it.”

Caine said “the only thing” preventing commercial traffic from moving through the strait right now is Iran.

“They are the belligerent party here, holding the strait closed. Although some traffic is still moving through, we have made it a priority to target Iran’s mine-laying operations. There are mine-layers, naval bases and depots, in addition to missiles that could affect the strait, and US Central Command continues to attack those capabilities,” he added.

Asked when the strait might be fully operational again, Hegseth said “the only thing” preventing transit is Iran firing at shipping.

“We have a plan for every option here. We’re working with our interagency partners, and that’s not a strait we’re going to allow to remain contested or to see a disruption in the flow of commercial goods,” he added.

Hegseth also said there is “no clear evidence” that Iran is placing new mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

Asked about Iran’s nuclear program and whether the United States military might need to secure Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium to end its military campaign, Hegseth said Washington retains “options” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“I will say we have a range of options, up to and including Iran deciding to give those up — which of course we would welcome. They were not willing to do that in negotiations. I would never tell this group or the world what we’re willing to do or how far we’re willing to go, but we certainly have options,” he added.