Pete Hegseth said the United States is continuing to inflict heavy damage on Iran’s military and claimed the country’s newly installed supreme leader may have been injured during the ongoing conflict.

Speaking during a press briefing Friday, Hegseth said the U.S. campaign is severely weakening the military forces of Iran.

“We are decimating the radical Iranian regime’s military,” Hegseth said.

He also suggested that Iran’s leadership is in hiding.

“Desperate and hiding, they’ve gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do,” he added.

Hegseth further claimed that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may have been wounded in the conflict and “likely disfigured.”

According to Hegseth, Mojtaba Khamenei issued only a written statement rather than appearing publicly or delivering a speech, which he argued could indicate the leader is injured or in hiding.

Mojtaba assumed leadership after the reported death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran for decades before being killed early in the war, according to U.S. officials.

Hegseth criticized the new leader’s statement as weak and suggested the Iranian government may be struggling internally.

“His father, dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy,” Hegseth said. “It’s a mess for them. Who’s in charge? Iran may not even know.”

The war between the United States and Iran began after U.S. forces launched operations on February 28 alongside ally Israel.

Hegseth said the U.S. military remains focused on eliminating Iran’s remaining military capabilities.

“We’re on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before,” he said.

He added that Iran’s defense industry could soon be completely dismantled if operations continue as planned.

The situation remains fluid, and officials have not independently confirmed the condition of Iran’s leadership.