US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on 13/3 at a Pentagon press conference that Iran's leadership has been "severely weakened" by military operations from Washington. "We know the person they call "supreme leader" is injured and potentially physically disfigured", Hegseth said.

The US secretary also expressed skepticism about Mojtaba's first public statement since taking office, which was read on Iranian state television without accompanying video or voice.

"Iran has many cameras and recording devices, so why would a written statement be necessary? I think you know why", Hegseth stated.

Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, in 10/2024. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump had also previously suggested that new Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba "was injured but still alive".

Iran's Assembly of Experts announced on 8/3 the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the successor Supreme Leader. Ayatollah Khamenei died when the US and Israel launched airstrikes on 28/2 targeting Iran's military and political objectives.

How Iran builds a religious image for the new supreme leader

Iranian state television referred to Mojtaba as Jaanbaz (a wounded veteran) in the Ramadan war, alluding to the US-Israel operation, but did not specify the extent of the injuries. Alireza Salarian, Iran's ambassador to Cyprus, told The Guardian that Mojtaba Khamenei sustained injuries to his legs, arms, and hands during the US-Israel airstrikes on 28/2.

Mojtaba has not appeared publicly in recent days. In a message released on 12/3, the new Iranian Supreme Leader affirmed that the country would continue to blockade the Strait of Hormuz "if the conflict persists and we deem it appropriate".

Ngoc Anh (According to CNN, AFP, AP)