Washington – United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly stated that Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, is wounded and likely disfigured. The claim, made Friday, raises questions about Khamenei’s ability to govern as the conflict between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition enters its second week. The assertion comes as Iran vows continued disruption in the region and following a period of limited public appearances by the new leader.
Hegseth’s comments, delivered during a Pentagon briefing, center on the lack of visible evidence of Khamenei’s leadership since assuming the role following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. The US and Israel launched a joint assault on Iran on that date. “We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said. “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.”
The Pentagon chief questioned the nature of Khamenei’s first public statement, released Thursday, noting its format. “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,” Hegseth added. The statement, read on Iranian state television, vowed to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened attacks on US bases in neighboring countries if they were not immediately shuttered.
While Hegseth did not provide evidence to support his assessment of Khamenei’s injuries, an Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that the new supreme leader sustained light injuries but continues to operate. State television previously described Khamenei as “war-wounded.”
The claims regarding Khamenei’s condition come amid escalating tensions and continued military action. Despite US military strikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, reports indicate Iranian drones have been detected flying into Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman.
The conflict has already taken a toll on US forces. Four US service members were killed Friday when a US military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, an incident the US military states did not result from hostile fire. Since the start of the US and Israeli strikes on February 28, a total of 11 US troops have been killed.
Hegseth made the statements alongside General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasizing the US military’s efforts to degrade Iran’s military capabilities. Although, the continued drone activity suggests those efforts have not yet fully stemmed Iran’s reach in the region.
The situation remains fluid, and the extent of Khamenei’s injuries, and their impact on Iran’s decision-making, remains unclear. The lack of independent verification and the conflicting reports from Iranian and US sources contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the leadership transition in Iran.
What comes next will likely hinge on Iran’s response to the ongoing military pressure and the internal dynamics within the Iranian government as it navigates this period of instability. Further developments are expected in the coming days as the US and Israel continue to assess the effectiveness of their campaign and Iran weighs its options for retaliation.
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