Iran’s New Supreme Leader Wounded But ‘Safe’; Three vessels hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz
Smoke rises from the Thai bulk carrier ‘Mayuree Naree’ near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack. Photo: AFP
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN:
President Donald Trump again signaled on Wednesday that there could be a quick end to America’s war on Iran, saying there is little left in the country for American forces to attack, even as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday laid out the terms of what he said was the war “ignited by the Zionist regime and the United States” as the conflict in the Middle East drags on.
There is “virtually nothing left to target” and the war will end “soon,” Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Axios. “Every time I want it to end, it will end.”
Trump has repeatedly given mixed messages about the timing and goals of the war, but on Monday he also said the end could come “soon.”
In a post on X, he said: “Talking to the leaders of Russia and Pakistan, I reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to peace in the region. The only way to end this war – ignited by the Zionist regime and the US – is to recognize Iran’s legitimate rights, pay reparations and firm international guarantees against future aggression.”
Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security and risk firms said Wednesday, bringing to at least 14 the number of ships hit in the region since the Iran conflict began.
The Thai-flagged dry cargo vessel Mayuree Naree had been hit by “two projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the strait on Wednesday, causing a fire and damage to the engine room, the ship’s Thai-listed operator Precious Shipping said in a statement.
The US Navy has turned down almost daily requests from the shipping industry for a military escort through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war with Iran, saying the risk of attack is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the US is prepared to provide naval escort when needed.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Japanese-flagged container ship ONE Majesty sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security firms said.
A third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said.
The projectile had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands flag Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said, adding that the vessel’s crew were safe. Owner Star Bulk Carriers said the ship was hit in the hold while at anchor. There were no crew injuries and no listing.
Iran’s new supreme leader is wounded
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is injured but “safe”, the president’s son said on Wednesday, giving the first official explanation as to why the 56-year-old has not been seen since his appointment over the weekend.
“I heard news that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections,” Yousef Pezeshkian, who is also a government adviser, wrote in a post on his Telegram channel. “They told me that thank God he is safe,” added the son of president Masoud Pezeshkian.
Mojtaba Khamenei, who has so far kept a low profile but powerful behind the scenes, was named Iran’s number one after the assassination of his father Ali Khamenei in an airstrike at the start of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.
But there had been increasing questions about his whereabouts and physical condition following his appointment by the clerical body of the Assembly of Experts, with the new supreme leader yet to be seen, let alone speak, in public.
In a report on Wednesday, the New York Times, citing three unnamed Iranian officials, said Khamenei “suffered injuries, including to his legs, but was alert and sheltered in a very secure location with limited communications”.
Damaged places
At least 17 US military, diplomatic and air defense sites across the Middle East have been damaged by Iranian drone and missile strikes since the start of the conflict in the region, a New York Times analysis found Wednesday.
The report said Iran responded to the US-Israeli attacks by targeting US installations across the region, hitting embassies, killing US soldiers and damaging military bases and air defense infrastructure.
The New York Times identified at least 17 damaged US websites, several of which were hit more than once since the conflict began, based on high-resolution commercial satellite imagery, verified social media videos and statements from US officials and Iranian state media.
As many as 150 US soldiers have been wounded in the 10-day-old war with Iran, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
The number of injured has not previously been disclosed. Prior to Reuters’ publication of the figure, the Pentagon had disclosed only eight US personnel seriously injured.
In a statement after Reuters published its report, the Pentagon put the number at approximately 140 wounded and said the vast majority of them were minors.
“Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 US service members have been injured during 10 days of sustained attacks,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.
He said 108 of the injured service members had already returned to duty.
Parnell said the eight seriously injured service members received the highest level of medical care.
(With input from the News Desk)
