Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Friday that Iran’s recently appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has sustained injuries and may be disfigured following weeks of military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.
Khamenei, who was chosen by Iran’s clerical assembly this past Sunday, has remained out of public view since assuming power. His initial public communication came Thursday through a written statement delivered by a television announcer, in which he threatened to maintain closure of the Strait of Hormuz and demanded neighboring nations shut down American military installations on their soil or face Iranian retaliation.
A source within the Iranian government confirmed to Reuters Wednesday that the country’s new leader sustained minor injuries but continues to fulfill his duties, following state media reports describing him as battle-wounded.
During a press briefing, Hegseth questioned the leader’s condition and capability. “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 there was no video. It was a written statement,” Hegseth said.
The Defense Secretary continued his assessment, saying: “Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father – dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy.”
