Hegseth: Khamenei 'wounded and likely disfigured' — Iran missile volume down 90%, Friday highest-ever US strikes

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a major media briefing from the Pentagon on Day 14, delivering assessments that — if accurate — would represent a turning point in the campaign. On Khamenei's condition: 'We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday — a weak one actually — but there was no voice and no video. It was a written statement. He called for unity… apparently killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity.' Hegseth added: 'I think you know why' the statement was written, not spoken. On Iran's military degradation: 'Iran's missile volume is down 90%. Its one-way attack drones were down 95% yesterday. Iran does not have the ability to build any more weapons. Their production lines, their military plants, their defence innovation centres: defeated. Iran's leadership is in no better shape. Desperate and hiding, they've gone underground, cowering — that's what rats do.' On Friday's operations: 'Friday will see the highest number of US strikes against Iranian targets so far.' Hegseth declined to provide details but said the US 'holds all the cards.' On Hormuz: The US is 'dealing with' Iran's attacks and it is something that 'does not need to be worried about.' Hegseth said the US 'has a plan for every option' and will not allow the strait to remain 'contested.' Denying Iran a nuclear weapon remains a 'core mission.'