Guwahati: United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new Supreme Leader is wounded and likely disfigured during the recent attacks on Tehran, though Iran has not issued any confirmation.
Speaking during a press briefing at the United States Department of Defense headquarters, Hegseth echoed earlier remarks by Donald Trump suggesting that Khamenei had sustained injuries in the attacks.
Hegseth pointed to the absence of visual confirmation of Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, noting that Iranian state television had aired only a written statement attributed to him without accompanying video or audio.
“I think you know why,” the U.S. secretary said during the briefing, implying that the lack of footage raised questions about the leader’s condition.
He further alleged that Mojtaba Khamenei was “scared” and “injured,” claiming the Iranian leader was “on the run” and lacked legitimacy.
Iranian officials have so far not responded publicly to the statements made during the Pentagon briefing.
This is a developing story.