Hegseth blasts ‘reckless’ claims Iran planted mines in Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, DC: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed reporters at the Pentagon on Friday, March 13, that while the US has monitored Iranian discussions regarding the placement of new mines in the Strait of Hormuz, there is currently "no clear evidence" of such activity.

Despite the lack of confirmation, Hegseth vowed that the US would not allow the critical waterway to remain contested.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine joined Hegseth to confirm that US forces are aggressively targeting Iran’s mining capabilities and naval assets to protect commercial shipping.

While ship traffic in the Strait remains largely halted, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signaled that the US Navy could begin escorting oil tankers through the area.

Combat refueling tanker crashes in Iraq

Hegseth and Caine addressed the crash of a US military refueling tanker in western Iraq on Thursday, which killed at least four service members.

Caine clarified that the crash occurred during a combat mission over friendly territory and was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. Rescue efforts are ongoing for two crew members who remain missing.

Reflecting on the incident, Hegseth remarked that "bad things happen" while praising the crew as heroes.

The crash marks a significant loss for US forces even as Central Command reports hitting 6,000 targets in Iran since the start of hostilities on February 28.

Iranian defense firms deemed functionally defeated

The Pentagon claims to have severely degraded the regime’s military industrial complex, with Hegseth stating that all Iranian defense companies have been "functionally defeated."

Combined US and Israeli strikes have now hit more than 15,000 "enemy targets," resulting in a 90% decrease in Iran's missile volume.

Despite these military gains, oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel as stock prices slide.

To address the global energy crisis, Secretary Bessent announced that the US would temporarily relax sanctions on Russia to permit the sale of Russian oil already at sea. 

New Supreme Leader likely disfigured

Regarding the status of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Hegseth claimed the leader is "wounded and likely disfigured."

While Iranian state media insists he is "alive and well," Hegseth noted that recent statements attributed to Khamenei have lacked any accompanying imagery.

Khamenei’s latest statement urged the regime to maintain its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz and continue strikes against Gulf Arab nations.

When questioned about Iran’s enriched uranium, Hegseth declined to specify if the US would take physical control of the materials, stating only that the US retains "options" to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.