Hegseth claims Iran's new supreme leader is "wounded and likely disfigured"
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Defense Secretary says Iran's new supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured.
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters Friday that Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured," marking the first official Trump administration statement about Khamenei's health since he assumed leadership after his father Ali Khamenei was killed. Hegseth cited Khamenei's Thursday written statement—delivered on Iranian state television without video or photo—as evidence of weakness and injury. President Trump separately told G7 leaders Wednesday that Khamenei "is not in good shape" and questioned who is actually leading Iran.
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Hegseth ignored military officials when he slashed offices that limit risk to civilians - Politico

Iran’s drone assaults ‘down 95%’ as Hegseth declares Operation Epic Fury is still ‘ramping up’

Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iran - The Guardian

Pete Hegseth attacks media for not being positive enough about US attacks on Iran
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National SecurityDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth's extended 60 Minutes interview
CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett sat down with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C. They spoke on Friday, March 6th about the state of the war with Iran, potential American casualties, what an Iranian surrender could look like, and more. Editor's note: The video above is an extended version of the interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday, March 8, 2026. This extended version was condensed for clarity.
National SecurityPete Hegseth says ‘there will be more casualties’ in US war with Iran
<p>Comments from defense secretary come as number of US service members killed in conflict has climbed to seven</p><p>Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, has said “there will be more casualties” in the US military from the Trump administration’s war in Iran after officials confirmed on Sunday that the number of US service members killed had <a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2030727586226360485?s=20">climbed to seven</a>.</p><p>Hegseth made the statement during <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-us-strikes-iran-trump-plans-60-minutes-transcript/">an appearance</a> Sunday night on CBS’s 60 Minutes, during which he portrayed Donald Trump’s decision for the US to join Israeli attacks on the Middle East country as essential “to advance American interests, and protect American lives”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/09/pete-hegseth-us-war-with-iran-casualties">Continue reading...</a>
GlobalIran's next supreme leader won't 'last long' without my approval, Trump says - ABC News
GlobalKey quotes from Iran’s supreme leader’s first public statement - AP News
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Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts. The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…
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