US intel chief: Mojtaba Khamenei badly injured in Israeli strike

United States Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has told lawmakers that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was badly injured in an Israeli attack.

Testifying before the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Gabbard said Khamenei sustained serious injuries in the strike. She acknowledged under questioning that the new Iranian leader is considered more hardline than his slain father, Ali Khamenei, NYT reports.

However, Gabbard told lawmakers that, given the extent of his reported injuries, it remains unclear how decisions are currently being made within Iran’s leadership structure.

By Sabina Mammadli