Pete Hegseth has declared the "not-so-Supreme Leader" to be wounded and is "likely disfigured" after the new Ayatollah failed to make his first public appearance yesterday.
Speaking from the Pentagon, the US War Secretary issued an update on the Iran war, paying tribute to US crew members who were killed in a plane crash in Iraq.
But first, Mr Hegseth delivered a health assessment of the newly-crowned Ayatollah, son of assassinated Ali Khamenei, who is believed to have been injured by the same air strikes which killed his father.
Nevertheless, the Islamic Republic released a written message they have insisted was penned by Mojtaba Khamenei - despite the video played out by Iranian state TV refusing to show his face or even his own voice.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Earlier today, the US War Secretary boasted about the destruction US military strikes have caused Tehran, remarking: "Iran's leadership is in no better shape."
Mr Hegseth delivered an update on their "desperate" enemies, telling reporters: "Hiding, they've gone underground, cowering. That's what rats do.
"We know the new so-called not-so Supreme Leader is wounded and likely disfigured."
Iran's leader is understood to have lost at least one leg in the incident and is believed to have sustained severe internal injuries, possibly to his stomach or liver, leaving him in a coma.
Pete Hegseth said Tehran's 'not-so-Supreme Leader' was wounded and 'likely disfigured'
|POOL
Mr Hegseth added: "He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice. And there was no video. It was a written statement. He called for unity.
"Apparently killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity," the War Secretary slammed.
In the statement, the Supreme Leader demanded national unity following weeks of his father's regime clamping down on pro-democracy protesters, leaving thousands of bodies piling up on the streets of Iranian cities.
He further added the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed, adding pressure on the nation's enemies.
LATEST ON THE MIDDLE EAST:
| GETTY
He also issued a threat to the US, demanding the closure of all US bases across the Middle East or they would be targeted as Iran persists with its regional strikes.
"Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement?" the US War Secretary mused. "I think you know why."
"He's scared, he's injured, he's on the run and he lacks legitimacy. It's a mess for them. Who's in charge? Iran may not even know.
"With every passing hour, we know and we know, they know that the military capabilities of their evil regime are crumbling. They can barely communicate, let alone coordinate.
"They're confused and we know it. Our response we will keep pressing. We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."
Mr Hegseth's press conference echoed the same sentiments displayed by the President earlier today, when he told Fox News the mysteriously-absent leader was "damaged" and "he's probably alive in some form".
Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial wave of "pre-emptive" US-Israeli strikes on February 28, with Iranian state media confirming his death late on Saturday night, in the same strikes which killed Mojitaba Khamenei's wife, Zahra Haddad-Adel.
The new Supreme Leader was "elected" eight days after his death, despite Mr Trump demanding to be a part of the appointment process.
More From GB News