WASHINGTON / TEHRAN: The United States has claimed that Iran’s newly appointed leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may have been seriously injured during recent attacks, while warning that a new wave of heavy strikes against Iran is imminent.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that intelligence reports indicate the Iranian leader was wounded and could be “disfigured,” adding that he has not appeared publicly since assuming leadership earlier this week. His absence from public view has sparked speculation about his condition, though Iranian officials have not confirmed the claim.
The development comes amid escalating military tensions between United States and Iran, with Washington warning that the coming hours could witness the most intense wave of strikes since the conflict began.
Hegseth said Friday could become the “heaviest day” of attacks, signaling that American forces are preparing to significantly expand operations against Iranian military targets.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told Fox News that the conflict would continue until Washington decides its objectives have been achieved.
“The war will end when I feel it,” Trump said in the interview, indicating that the timeline for ending the military campaign would depend on strategic outcomes on the ground.
Iranian authorities have not publicly responded to the US claims regarding the health of Mojtaba Khamenei, but officials in Tehran insist that the country’s leadership structure remains intact despite ongoing hostilities.
The situation has heightened concerns across the region, as analysts warn that continued escalation between United States and Iran could further destabilize the Middle East and draw additional countries into the conflict.
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