Iran's new leader wounded in US-Israeli campaign, oil prices surge

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded and likely disfigured during the US-Israeli military campaign. Hegseth made the remarks during a Friday press conference, declaring the US aims to destroy Iran's military capabilities at unprecedented speed. Daily Post notes President Trump previously suggested Khamenei was damaged but likely alive. The conflict has driven oil prices to $100/barrel with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, causing rising US gas prices. Khamenei threatened additional fronts in the conflict during his first public comments since assuming leadership.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/03/13/war-irans-new-supreme-leader-wounded-likely-disfigured-hegseth/