New Delhi, Dec. 2 -- Amid an ongoing row surrounding Pete Hegseth's alleged direction to kill everyone on board a suspected drug boat, the White House on Monday clarified that an admiral ordered the strikes after securing relevant authorization from the US Defense Secretary.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Hegseth authorized a US Navy admiral to carry out the strikes, as reported by AFP.

Leavitt added that the admiral approved a second strike on the boat and was well within his legal right to do so.

Admiral Frank Bradley "worked well within his authority and the law directing the engagement to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States of America was elimi...