War Sec. Hegseth: Khamenei Disfigured, Not Leading Iran

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded and likely disfigured in the early stages of the war, raising questions about his ability to lead the country.

Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being appointed by Iran’s clerical leadership following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the opening strikes of the conflict.

“We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said. He noted that Khamenei’s first statement as leader was delivered only in written form and read on television rather than appearing in person or by video.

“His father is dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy,” Hegseth said.

An Iranian official previously told Reuters that Khamenei had been lightly wounded but was continuing to operate.

Hegseth said the United States and Israel would continue military operations against Iran, claiming that Iranian military capabilities have been heavily degraded.

According to the Pentagon, more than 15,000 targets in Iran have been struck since the start of the campaign, including missile production facilities and launch sites.

Hegseth also said Iranian missile launches have dropped sharply, claiming attacks are down by roughly 90% as launchers and drones are destroyed.

Meanwhile, an explosion was reported near a central square in Tehran during an annual Quds Day rally attended by senior Iranian officials. Iranian state media said at least one person was killed in the blast, though the cause was not immediately clear.

Iranian officials dismissed the incident as an act of desperation by their enemies and vowed that the country would continue resisting pressure from the United States and Israel.