Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected speculation about the health of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying there are no problems with his condition, despite US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s claims.
Speaking to MS Now, Araghchi said there was “no problem” with the Iranian leader’s health.
The head of American claims is injured
The remarks come after Pete Hegseth said on Friday (13 March) that Iran’s new supreme leader had been “wounded and probably disfigured”.
“We know that the new so-called (not-so) supreme leader is injured and probably disfigured. He issued a statement yesterday, a weak one actually, but there was no voice and no video. It was a written statement,” Hegseth said.
He also questioned why the report was issued only in written form.
“Iran has a lot of cameras and a lot of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father is dead. 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,” he added.
Iran warns of attacks on energy infrastructure
During the same interview, Araghchi warned that Iran would target American-linked energy infrastructure in the region if its own facilities were attacked in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.
“Our armed forces have already responded that they will retaliate if our oil and energy infrastructure is attacked,” he said.
Iran would target energy infrastructure belonging to American companies or those in which American firms have stakes, he added.
Kharg Island strikes
Araghchi’s warning came after the US military on Friday struck Kharg Island, a critical export hub from which most of Iran’s oil shipments are sent overseas.
US President Donald Trump earlier said military targets had been “wiped out”, although energy infrastructure was not directly targeted.
Allegations of attacks launched from the UAE
Araghchi also accused the United States of short-range missile attacks from bases in the United Arab Emirates, including one near Dubai.
“They are using the territory of our neighbors to attack us with these kinds of missiles, and that is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.
“It is very dangerous that they are using highly populated areas,” Araghchi added, stressing that Iran will try to avoid civilian casualties.
“We would definitely retaliate, but we are trying to be careful not to attack any populated areas.
