U.S. Secretary of Defense Claims Iran's New Supreme Leader is 'Injured and Likely Disfigured'
According to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been injured and is likely disfigured. This assertion came during a press conference at the Pentagon, amidst the ongoing war between Iran and the U.S.
Khamenei's Condition
Hegseth stated that Iran's leadership is desperate and hiding underground, characterizing them as cowering.
He also claimed that Khamenei, the son of the last supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has not appeared in public since his election to the position, casting doubts on his ability to lead the regime long-term.
However, Iranian officials have confirmed that Khamenei is indeed wounded, yet they have given no further detail about his condition or the extent of his injuries. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister has reassured that there is no problem
with the Supreme Leader, stating that the world would probably see him soon.
U.S. Military Operations and the Strait of Hormuz
Hegseth also stated that Iran no longer has a functioning air force, air defense, or navy, and that its missile reserves were down 90 percent, arguing that the U.S. is decimating
Iran's military capabilities. He further dismissed concerns about the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, which Iran has been disrupting during the conflict.
Reward for Information on Khamenei
The U.S. State Department is offering a $10 million reward for information on Khamenei and several senior officials linked to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This is part of an effort to gather intelligence on the IRGC and its leadership, which Washington accuses of orchestrating attacks against Americans and supporting terrorism.
Iran's Response
In his first statement since taking over from his father, Iran's leader Mojtaba Khamenei has said the closure of Strait of Hormuz should be continued as a tool to pressure the enemy. He also demanded that Iran received reparations for 'who suffered the damage' or it will destroy enemy assets.
Despite the U.S. claims about Khamenei's condition, Iran's Foreign Minister reassured that Khamenei is in good health and in charge of state affairs, adding that the situation in Iran is stable.
International Reactions
China has stated that Iran’s decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader is a domestic matter for Tehran, urging respect for Iran’s sovereignty and warning against attempts to reshape the country’s political system from outside.
Meanwhile, the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, specifically the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has caused the largest disruption in history in the energy supply, raising global concerns about the ongoing conflict.
Current Status
As the war enters its second week, the condition of Iran's new Supreme Leader remains a point of contention. The U.S. continues to assert that Khamenei is injured and likely disfigured, while Iran insists that he is in good health and in charge of state affairs. Amid these conflicting narratives, the state of the war and its impact on the global energy supply remains a pressing concern.