Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran\u2019s new supreme leader, vowed on Thursday to keep the strait closed as a \u201ctool to pressure the enemy\u201d.<\/p>\n
The US has been under pressure to escort tankers through the strait,<\/a> but so far, the navy has considered that too dangerous.<\/p>\n Chris Wright, the US energy secretary, told CNBC on Thursday that it was \u201cquite likely\u201d the navy would be escorting tankers by the end of the month.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll happen relatively soon but it can\u2019t happen now. We\u2019re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran\u2019s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, told Sky News on Thursday that escorts would begin \u201cas soon as it is militarily possible\u201d.<\/p>\n Supreme leader \u2018wounded and disfigured\u2019<\/p>\n He suggested these escorts could be carried out by the US navy or with \u201can international coalition\u201d.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Mr Hegseth also claimed on Friday that Iran\u2019s new supreme leader was \u201cwounded and likely disfigured\u201d<\/a> by recent strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n \u201cDesperate and hiding, they have gone underground, cowering. That\u2019s what rats do,\u201d he said. It came after Mr Khamenei\u2019s first official message as leader was delivered via a newsreader on Thursday.<\/p>\n Moments later, Iranian state TV showed members of Iran\u2019s leadership marching through the streets<\/a> of Tehran in defiance of Mr Trump, stopping for selfies along the way.<\/p>\n