What rats do’: US says Iranian leaders hiding as leaders appear in Tehran
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
US Defense Secretary says Iranian leaders are hiding after US-Israeli military strikes.
AI Summary
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Iran's leadership "desperate and hiding" following US-Israeli strikes against the country. Hegseth made the "what rats do" comparison despite Iranian leaders appearing publicly in Tehran.
Source Coverage Map
20 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
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
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
PoliticsTrump administration denounces CNN for airing messages from Iranian leaders - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNRTlsd1VuRXNUUmNBbmRYOWttTndjbi1tNjI4OG15cHJSMGdMQTZGRTltNUk1eFUtM24xbjdlTXNFUXZVMEhURzRGT016WWZCZnN0VmFQcVRaYTFOSkVoZmpVU3p3c0ppNDhaZGxXd0tWWi1iTmNIQjljVmdZVlRXd2MwMzlUS2IzLUpvdmd2cUpzX3ZlOHRpVWdhcklfa3ZnTlNQbmlQQQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump administration denounces CNN for airing messages from Iranian leaders</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
GlobalIranian exile factions vie for US leaders’ blessing to lead Iran
<p>Maga world figures throw weight behind Maryam Rajavi, MEK’s leader, and Reza Pahlavi, the son of last Shah of Iran</p><p>As a US battle group steamed to the Gulf in November 2002, competing Iraqi exiles, some championed by American insiders, jockeyed for position in the hopes of taking charge once George W Bush toppled Saddam Hussein. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2002-12-29/iraqs-unruly-opposition">Bloomberg</a> dubbed them “Iraq’s unruly opposition”.</p><p>The most notorious Iraqi exile, failed former banker Ahmad Chalabi, boasted to his neoconservative allies that his return to Baghdad would be welcomed by cheering throngs. Among his competition was a former doctor named Ayad Allawi, who was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jul/23/guardianweekly.guardianweekly1">backed</a> by Britain’s MI6 and the Central Intelligence Agency in his bid for support to rule Iraq.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/11/iran-leaders-us-...
National SecurityHegseth claims Iran's new supreme leader is "wounded and likely disfigured"
<p>Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Friday that Iran's new supreme leader, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/08/mojtaba-khamenei-iran-supreme-leader" target="_blank">Mojtaba Khamenei</a>, is "wounded and likely disfigured."</p><p><strong>Why it matters:</strong> Hegseth's claim was the first official statement by the Trump administration about Khamenei's health since he was named the country's leader.</p><hr><ul><li>"Iran's leadership is in no better shape. Desperate and hiding they have gone underground, cowering. That's what rats do. We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured," Hegseth told reporters at a briefing.</li></ul><p><strong>Behind the scenes:</strong> President Trump told G7 leaders in a virtual meeting on Wednesday that Khamenei "is not in good shape," according to a source with knowledge of the call.</p><ul><li>"Nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender," <a href="https://www.axios.c...
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 SecurityVideo appears to show U.S. cruise missile striking Iranian school compound
The ten second video was released by Iranian state media and directly contradicts statements made by President Trump, who said Iran was responsible for the strike.
National SecurityBahrain says Iranian drone attack damages water desalination plant
Attacks on water systems are uncommon in wartime, but they have appeared in the war in the Middle East with strikes on desalination plants -- critical infrastructure for millions of people in the arid region. Bahrain's interior ministry said Sunday that an Iranian drone attack damaged a water desalination plant, accusing Tehran of "randomly" targeting civilian infrastructure. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports.
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…
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Whitmer's office calls for probe into why weather service didn't issue tornado watch - The Detroit News
Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions
Rubio designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’
Senate Democrat calls for investigation into Texas drone incidents
WADA to weigh barring Trump, US officials from LA Olympics and possibly World Cup over unpaid dues - AP News
