Erfan Kiani, a “hired thug of Mossad,” had engaged in the destruction and arson of public and private property, spreading fear and terror across the central city of Isfahan, and wielding a machete.
Hegseth added that Tehran had a chance to make a "good deal" with Washington.
The option to strike Iranian energy infrastructure, as Trump had previously threatened, remains on the table as a way to pressure Tehran into agreeing to a deal.
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Rubio's remarks came after a top envoy to US President Donald Trump asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup.
"When a regime... takes away the lives of other people unjustly, then obviously that is something that should be condemned," Pope Leo said during a press conference.
Iran's "fast-attack" ships have not been considered much of a threat, according to Trump, but have since been used to seize two container ships near the Strait.
"I want to make the best deal. I could make a deal right now ... but I don't want to do that. I want to have it everlasting," Trump said.
The seven large container ships detected near the Chabahar Port are not a sign that Iran is considering shifting activity to the east of Hormuz, as had initially been theorized.
An investigation found that a loan of some £36 million was granted to Khamenei in 2013 through a company registered in the Isle of Man tax haven.
According to the report, the order came from officials close to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the negotiation team was preparing to depart.
