Top Iranian official responds to Hegseth’s claim leaders ‘hiding’ like ‘rats’
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Iranian official condemns Defense Secretary's comments calling Iranian leaders rats.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth compared Iranian leaders to "rats" during a Friday morning press conference, saying Iran's leadership is "desperate and hiding" and has "gone underground." Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, condemned Hegseth's remarks on Friday. The exchange marks an escalation in public rhetoric between the two nations' officials. Hegseth's comments suggest the U.S. views Iran's leadership as weakened and in retreat.
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US offers reward for information on Iran's supreme leader, senior officials - Reuters
Hegseth claims Iran's new supreme leader is "wounded and likely disfigured" - Axios
US’s Hegseth claims new Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei injured - Al Jazeera
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