Iran War / US Says Iran’s New Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Wounded, Possibly Disfigured’
·4 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded and possibly disfigured, as the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran intensifies with thousands of airstrikes and rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington, March 13: U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and possibly disfigured following recent attacks during the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Hegseth said the United States believes the Iranian leader sustained injuries amid the escalating war. “We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” he said.
Iranian officials have confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei has been wounded but have not provided further details about his condition. The new leader has remained out of public view since issuing a written statement on March 12.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a bombing at the beginning of the conflict on February 28, which marked the start of the current war between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
During the briefing, Hegseth also revealed the scale of the ongoing military campaign, stating that the United States and Israel have struck more than 15,000 targets in Iran since the conflict began.
“Between our air force and that of the Israelis, over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck — well over 1,000 a day,” he said, adding that the number of strikes was expected to reach its highest level yet on Friday.
The U.S. Defence Secretary also addressed concerns about possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. He said there is currently no clear evidence that Iran has deployed mines in the waterway but warned that the United States would not allow shipping traffic in the strait to be threatened.
Meanwhile, Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. military has launched an investigation into a reported airstrike on a girls’ school in southern Iran. The probe has been assigned to an officer outside United States Central Command to ensure an independent review of the incident.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Hegseth said the United States believes the Iranian leader sustained injuries amid the escalating war. “We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” he said.
Iranian officials have confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei has been wounded but have not provided further details about his condition. The new leader has remained out of public view since issuing a written statement on March 12.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in a bombing at the beginning of the conflict on February 28, which marked the start of the current war between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance.
During the briefing, Hegseth also revealed the scale of the ongoing military campaign, stating that the United States and Israel have struck more than 15,000 targets in Iran since the conflict began.
“Between our air force and that of the Israelis, over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck — well over 1,000 a day,” he said, adding that the number of strikes was expected to reach its highest level yet on Friday.
The U.S. Defence Secretary also addressed concerns about possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. He said there is currently no clear evidence that Iran has deployed mines in the waterway but warned that the United States would not allow shipping traffic in the strait to be threatened.
Meanwhile, Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. military has launched an investigation into a reported airstrike on a girls’ school in southern Iran. The probe has been assigned to an officer outside United States Central Command to ensure an independent review of the incident.
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