Trump Says US Spared Iran’s Oil Pipelines, Warns They Can Be Destroyed ‘Within Minutes’; Uncertainty Over Mojtaba Khamenei’s Fate

President Donald Trump, speaking at a press conference, said that US forces destroyed nearly all infrastructure on Kharg Island but intentionally left oil transfer pipelines intact, considering Iran’s future reconstruction. He said: “We left the oil pipelines; I think we did the right thing for the future rebuilding of that country.” He warned that if necessary, these facilities could be destroyed “with one order and within a few minutes.” On Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, Trump said various reports have been published about his physical state and it is still unknown whether he is alive. He said: “Many people say he is severely disfigured. They say he lost a leg and is badly injured. Some others say he is dead. No one says he is 100% healthy.” Trump added: “We haven’t seen him at all and don’t know if he is alive.” Trump also said some Washington allies have shown reluctance to participate in a plan to secure vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He said many countries are on their way to join this initiative, but some others — “while America has supported them for years” — show no enthusiasm. He noted: “We have 45,000 soldiers in some countries protecting them from danger.” Trump said Washington asked some countries if they have the capacity to participate in mine-clearing operations, and their response was “we prefer not to get involved in this matter.” He criticized this approach: “We have protected you for 40 years and now you don’t want to get involved in something very small?” He also claimed that in the event of a conflict “very few shots will be fired, because they don’t have much ammunition left to fire.” Trump announced that the Islamic Republic’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has been severely reduced, with more than 30 mine-laying vessels targeted and destroyed. He added that as far as they know, all of Iran’s mine-laying vessels have been destroyed and are at the bottom of the sea, and if Iran attempts to lay mines, “it would be a kind of suicide.” Trump also said the Islamic Republic now has few missiles and missile fire from Iran is expected to decrease. He emphasized that the US military campaign and attacks on Iran are continuing with full force, and US forces have so far struck more than 7,000 targets in this war. The US president added that securing the Strait of Hormuz is more beneficial to other countries than to the United States, as the US does not import its oil through this route.