US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “wounded” and “likely disfigured.”
In a press briefing on March 13, Hegseth referred to a written statement issued by Mojtaba on Iranian state television on Thursday, noting that there was no video or audio accompanying it.
“We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured. 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. He called for unity… apparently killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth Says Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘Wounded’
Hegseth criticized the content of Mojtaba’s first statement, calling it weak and challenging its message of unity.
On March 12, Iran released its first statement under the name of its new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, declaring intentions to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and to continue strikes on U.S. military bases in the region.
The statement was read aloud on state television rather than broadcast live or on video, casting doubts on whether the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son is actually alive.
In the message, Khamenei threatened to demand compensation from the United States for its attacks, warning that if Washington refuses, Iran will retaliate by destroying U.S. assets equivalent to the value of the claimed compensation.
Also Read: Iran’s New Supreme Leader Threatens Trump in First Address After Appointment
Hegseth Maintains Iran Is Losing Badly
Hegseth added that President Donald Trump “holds the cards” and will determine the pace, tempo, and timing of the conflict.
He claimed that Iran’s missile arsenal has been reduced by 90%, while its one-way attack drones dropped by 95% as of yesterday, asserting that Tehran no longer has the capacity to produce additional weapons.
According to Hegseth, U.S. forces are actively managing Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and the situation does not pose a significant threat.
Also Read: Iranian Ship Sailing Near American Aircraft Carrier Hit by Strikes
Caine Honors KC-135 Crew Killed in Iraq While Continuing Strikes on Iran
On his part, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, who was also present at the briefing, paid tribute to the four crew members killed in the KC-135 refuelling plane crash over western Iraq, describing them as American heroes and thanking all service members for their dedication.
Caine also confirmed that there had been a fire aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, but said he believes the crew on board will be safe.
The military chief added that the U.S. forces continue to target Iranian ballistic missile and drone capabilities, focusing on dismantling the Iranian navy and limiting its ability to attack commercial vessels.
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