
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today that Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been injured and "likely disfigured."
Hegseth referred to the first public statement by Iran's new supreme leader, released yesterday, and questioned its legitimacy.
He said: "We know that the so-called new supreme leader is not so supreme. He is wounded and is very likely disfigured."
According to him, yesterday's statement was weak and was published only in writing, without audio or video.
“He called for unity… apparently, killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity.”
Hegseth also asked why the supreme leader only released a written statement and not a public appearance, adding: "I think you know why."
He also criticized media headlines, saying they do not realistically reflect the United States' success in the war against Iran.
"We're going up, they're going down. President Donald Trump has the cards in his hand."
According to him, Friday will see the largest number of American attacks so far against Iranian targets.
Statements on Iran's military situation
Hegseth said Iran's military capabilities have been significantly weakened.
Speaking from the Pentagon, he declared that the Iranian regime will only see the American flag and Israel's Star of David, which he described as "their worst nightmare."
He noted that Iran's missile stockpile has dropped by 90%, while its single-target attack drones fell by 95% yesterday. "Iran no longer has the capability to build weapons," he added.
Hegseth also said that the US is dealing with Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and that the situation is under control.
According to him, "their production lines, military factories and defense innovation centers have been destroyed. Even Iran's leadership is not in a better state."
He added that Iranian leaders are hiding underground and desperate.
"Desperate and hidden, they've gone into hiding, crouching - that's what rats do," Hegseth said.