Where is Iran’s new Supreme Leader? US claims injury, while rumours swirl he is abroad

Questions continue to arise about the whereabouts of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

Khamenei, who has not been seen in public, is said to be receiving treatment in another country after being attacked, reports world news correspondent Adam Gilchrist. 

During a press conference at the Pentagon on Friday, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said he was 'wounded and likely disfigured' without providing evidence thereof.

Khamenei’s first comments came via a written statement, read by a television presenter on Thursday.

He took over following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on 28 February, the first day of the United States and Israeli assault on Iran.

In the statement, Khamenei vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and called on neighbouring countries to close the US bases on their territories or risk being attacked.  

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“The point is that he is rather an important player, and we just don’t know,” said Gilchrist.

To listen to Gilchrist in conversation with 702’s Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below (skip to 2.09):