Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and likely disfigured, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday, raising fresh questions about Tehran’s command amid the ongoing US-Israeli offensive.
“We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said at a Pentagon press briefing. He mocked Iran’s leadership for going “underground,” adding, “That's what rats do.” Hegseth suggested the lack of a public appearance, replaced instead by a written statement Thursday, was tied to fear, injury, and flight: “He is scared. He is injured. He is on the run. Who is in charge? Iran may not even know.”
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was formally selected by the Assembly of Experts on March 8-9, succeeding his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on Feb. 28.
The coordinated assaults, dubbed “Epic Fury” by the US and “Roaring Lion” by Israel, targeted high-ranking regime figures and military sites, marking the start of direct military operations against Iran. President Donald Trump framed the campaign as a move to weaken Iran’s nuclear capabilities and push for regime change.
Iran confirmed Mojtaba sustained injuries in the initial strikes, though state media characterized them as minor, describing him as a “Jaanbaz,” or injured war veteran.
