US Defense Chief Claims Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Wounded and Disfigured

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed on Friday that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded and probably disfigured after an Israeli strike at the war’s outset. This strike also killed his father, the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and much of his family. No images of the younger Khamenei have surfaced since the incident nearly two weeks ago.

Khamenei’s first public remarks appeared Thursday via a written statement read by a TV presenter, pledging to maintain the Strait of Hormuz closure and urging neighbors to shut U.S. bases or face Iranian retaliation. Hegseth highlighted the absence of video or audio, suggesting injury and fear: “He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy.”

Iranian officials acknowledged wounds but downplayed them. An official described injuries as light, while Iran’s ambassador to Japan insisted Khamenei remains fully functional despite the assassination of his predecessor.

At the Pentagon briefing, Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine detailed strikes dismantling Iran’s missile, drone, and naval assets. Hegseth declared, “No quarter, no mercy,” signaling unrelenting pressure despite international law concerns over such rhetoric.

The U.S. has hit over 6,000 targets in 14 days of U.S.-Israeli operations, causing around 2,000 Iranian deaths. Additional forces are deploying, including the USS Tripoli with 2,500 Marines. Yet Iranian drones persist toward Gulf states, and U.S. losses mount, with six troops killed Friday in an Iraqi aircraft crash, totaling 11 since February 28.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)