US Defense Chief: "Iran's New Supreme Leader Injured... He Is Terrified"

Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense (Department of War), stated on March 13 (local time) that Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, is likely to have suffered injuries that have disfigured his appearance.

Mojtaba Khamenei, newly elected Supreme Leader of Iran. Photo by AFP/Yonhap News

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At a briefing held at the Pentagon that day with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane, Secretary Hegseth said, "We are aware that the newly emerged so-called Supreme Leader-who can hardly be called 'supreme'-has been injured and is likely in a disfigured state."

This is the first time that a senior U.S. government official has publicly confirmed as fact the injuries of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

He pointed out, "The statement released by Mojtaba Khamenei the previous day was weak, and it had neither audio nor video. It was a written statement." He continued, "There are plenty of cameras and audio recording devices in Iran, so why only a written statement? Do you know why his father (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei) died?" He emphasized, "He is terrified, injured, on the run, and lacks any legitimacy."

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