Washington, United States — Web Desk: The United States has claimed that Iran’s newly declared supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been injured and is currently in hiding amid the escalating conflict between Iran and the United States.
According to international media reports, Pete Hegseth made the remarks while speaking to journalists at the Pentagon.
Hegseth said that Iranian state television recently aired a written statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei, but no accompanying video or audio message was released. He questioned the absence of visual evidence, suggesting that the Iranian leader may be avoiding public appearances due to injuries and security concerns.
The US defense chief also claimed that Iran’s military response has significantly weakened in recent days. According to Hegseth, Iranian missile attacks have declined by nearly 90 percent, while unilateral drone attacks have dropped by about 95 percent.
He further alleged that Iran’s leadership is currently under intense pressure and that the country’s military capabilities have been severely damaged by ongoing operations involving the United States and Israel.
Hegseth said the joint operations by US and Israeli air forces have been highly effective, targeting Iranian air defense systems and missile launch facilities. He added that Iran’s air defense infrastructure has been significantly degraded.
The US defense chief also warned that American air operations over Iran could reach their highest intensity yet. He stated that Iran’s leadership appears to be hiding while the United States continues to strengthen its military posture in the region.
According to Hegseth, all decisions regarding the pace and direction of the conflict ultimately rest with Donald Trump, who will determine how the war progresses.
