Iran’s new supreme leader injured but ‘safe’; Three vessels hit by projectiles in 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 on Wednesday again signaled there could be a swift ending to the US war on Iran, saying there is little left in the country for US forces to attack even as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian laid down the conditions on Wednesday for what he said was the war “ignited by the Zionist regime and United States” as the conflict in the Middle East drags on.
There is “practically nothing left to target” and the war will end “soon,” Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Axios. “Any time I want it to end, it will end.”
Trump has given repeated mixed messages about the timing and aims of the war but on Monday he also said the ending could come “soon.”
In a post on X, he said: “Talking to 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 & US — is recognising Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of 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 on Wednesday, bringing the number of ships struck in the region since the Iran conflict began to at least 14.
The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree dry bulk vessel had been struck by “two projectiles of unknown origin” while sailing through the Strait on Wednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine room, the ship’s Thai-listed operator Precious Shipping said in a statement.
The US Navy has refused near-daily requests from the shipping industry for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war on Iran, saying the risk of attacks is too high for now, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has said the US is prepared to provide naval escorts whenever needed.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Japan-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-flagged 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 area whilst anchored. There were no crew injuries and no listing.
Iran’s new supreme leader injured
Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is injured but “safe and sound”, the son of the president said on Wednesday, offering the first official explanation for why the 56-year-old has not been seen since his appointment at 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 and sound,” added the son of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Mojtaba Khamenei, until now a low profile if powerful behind-the-scenes figure, was named Iran’s number one following the assassination of his father Ali Khamenei in an air strike at the start of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.
But there had been mounting questions about his whereabouts and physical condition after his appointment by the Assembly of Experts clerical body, with the new supreme leader yet to be seen, let alone speak, in public.
In a report on Wednesday, the New York Times quoting three unnamed Iranian officials said that Khamenei “had suffered injuries, including to his legs, but that he was alert and sheltering at a highly secure location with limited communication”.
Damaged sites
At least 17 United States military, diplomatic and air defence 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 on Wednesday.
The report said Iran responded to the US-Israeli assaults by targeting American installations across the region, hitting embassies, killing US soldiers, and damaging military bases and air defence infrastructure.
The New York Times identified at least 17 damaged US sites, several of which were struck more than once since the conflict began, based on high-resolution commercial satellite imagery, verified social media videos, and statements by US officials and Iranian state media.
As many as 150 United States troops have been wounded in the 10-day-old war with Iran, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
The casualty figure has not been previously reported. Prior to Reuters’ publication of the figure, the Pentagon had only disclosed eight US personnel seriously injured.
In a statement after Reuters published its report, the Pentagon estimated the figure to be approximately 140 wounded and said the vast majority of them were minor.
“Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 US service members have been wounded over 10 days of sustained attacks,” said chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.
He said 108 of the wounded service members had already returned to duty.
Parnell said the eight seriously wounded service members were receiving the highest level of medical care.
(With input from News Desk)
