US defence secretary claims Iran’s new supreme leader is ‘wounded’ as he questions latest warning
The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has issued an update on the US war with Iran.
It comes as we've today (13 March) entered the fourteenth day of fighting since America and Israel sent missiles to the Middle Eastern country on 28 February, killing Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Tehran’s Assembly of Experts appointed Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to succeed him, and also fired ballistic missiles of their own in the direction of American and Israeli troops based in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.
As per The New York Times, at least 1,940 people have been killed since the start of the war, most in Iran.
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In recent days, the new Supreme Leader and US President Donald Trump have been throwing eerie threats towards each other, with both issuing statements and refusing to back down.
Khamenei issued a message yesterday (12 March), outlining that Iran will not hesitate to 'avenge the blood of Iranians' who have been killed.
Now, though, while speaking to the media, Hegseth claimed that the Supreme Leader is 'injured,' and 'likely disfigured.'
Khamenei lost his father, mother, wife, and several other family members on the first day of the strikes, and reports have circulated that he also got injured, but this hasn't been confirmed.
Alireza Salarian, Iran's ambassador to Cyprus, told The Guardian that he suffered injuries to his legs, arms, and hands, while Yousef Pezeshkian, son and adviser to President Masoud Pezeshkian, allegedly claimed on his Telegram channel that Mojtaba was 'safe and in a secure location,' as reported by Euro News.
What did Pete Hegseth say?
Hegseth said in the press conference: "Iran's leadership is in no better state. Desperate and hiding, they've gone underground. That's what rats do.
"We know the so-called, not-so Supreme Leader, is wounded and likely disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday, a weak one, actually."
Referring to the fact Khamenei didn't appear on camera to issue his message, the Defence Secretary added: "But there was no voice, there was no video. It was a written statement. He called for unity, apparently killing tens of thousands of protestors is his kind of unity.
"Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders, so why a written statement? I think you know why.
"His father - dead. He's scared, he's injured, and on the run, and lacks legitimacy. It's a mess for them. Who's in charge? Iran may not even know."
He continued: "With every passing hour, we know and we know they know that the military capabilities of their evil regime are crumbling. They can barely communicate, let alone coordinate.
"They're confused, and we know it. Our response? We will keep pressing, we will keep pushing, keep advancing, no quarter. No mercy for our enemies."
What did Mojtaba Khamenei say?
As per AP News, Khamenei's statement reads: "Dear combatant brothers, the demand of the masses is the continuation of an effective and regret-inducing defence.
"The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency.
"Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it."
The Supreme Leader continued: "I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.
"A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases. We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children. Therefore, the crime the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab, and some similar cases, holds a special status in this process of accountability."
He also talked about a policy of 'friendship' that Iran has with neighbouring countries; however, he urged them to close their US bases and confirmed that Iran will continue to target them.
"These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people. I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realised that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie," Khamenei said.
Khamenei added: "One point I must emphasise is that, in any case, we will obtain compensation from the enemy. If it refuses, we will take from its assets to the extent we deem appropriate, and if that is not possible, we will destroy its assets to the same extent."
Topics: Donald Trump, News, Iran, Israel, US News, World News
Madison Burgess