Khaberni - U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Higsith and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff held a press conference at the "Pentagon", today, Friday, discussing the developments of the ongoing war with Iran and the related military files.
During the briefing, Higsith said the new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "injured and likely disfigured", noting that he has not appeared publicly since taking office after the death of his father Ali Khamenei in the strike at the beginning of the war.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense affirmed that the United States will not allow Iran to affect maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that preventing Tehran from possessing nuclear weapons represents a key priority for Washington.
He added that the United States has "a range of options" for dealing with Iran's nuclear file, among them that Iran decides to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, as Higsith clarified that Donald Trump will determine the duration of military operations to achieve the United States' goals.
Higsith also mentioned that his country will offer "Iran the option of surrender through negotiations," and confirmed that the United States "does not target civilians whereas Iran targets civilians."
Regarding the strike that targeted a school in Iran, he said that the U.S. Central Command appointed an officer from outside to conduct an investigation to complete reviewing the incident, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense also mentioned that there is so far no evidence of Iran planting sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz, confirming that U.S. forces continue to closely monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Central Command continues to target Iranian activities that may threaten navigation, also warning that Iran is still capable of causing damage to military forces and commercial ships.
Higsith further emphasized that the United States welcomes cooperation with Israel, but he affirmed that the American goals in the ongoing operations remain independent.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Central Command continues to target Iranian activities that may threaten navigation, also warning that Iran is still capable of causing damage to military forces and commercial ships.
Higsith further emphasized that the United States welcomes cooperation with Israel, but he affirmed that the American goals in the ongoing operations remain independent.
