Amid the Iran war, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a major press briefing at the Pentagon addressing the escalating war with Iran. During the briefing, Hegseth claimed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded and possibly disfigured during recent US-Israeli strikes. Hegseth also mocked Iran’s leadership, saying senior officials have gone underground and are hiding as military pressure increases. He questioned why Khamenei’s first address after taking power was delivered through a television anchor instead of appearing publicly. The US Defense Secretary also addressed concerns about a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, saying measures are being taken to ensure global energy flows remain stable.  

Uncertainty continues to surround the fate of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, after devastating strikes inside Iran triggered widespread speculation about the country’s leadership. In a revealing interview, Donald Trump suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei may have survived the deadly assault, but possibly with catastrophic injuries. According to Trump, the Iranian cleric could be “damaged” yet still alive, fueling new questions about his physical condition and whether he remains capable of leading Iran during an escalating regional crisis. WATCH