Iran hits back at US' Pete Hegseth over 'rats' remark, says 'your leaders? On Epstein’s island'

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, dismissed the accusation and countered with a stinging remark directed at American leaders. “

• US and Iran trade sharp accusations amid ongoing conflict
• Iranian leaders appear publicly at Al Quds Day rally in Tehran
• Tehran rally explosion kills one; Iran blames Israel

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A sharp exchange of rhetoric unfolded between Tehran and Washington as Iran’s top security official responded to comments by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had portrayed the Iranian leadership as weakened and in hiding during the ongoing conflict.

During a media briefing, Hegseth argued that Iran’s leadership was in disarray after weeks of fighting. “Desperate and hiding, they have gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do,” he said while describing what he claimed was the current state of Iran’s ruling figures.

Tehran pushed back quickly. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, dismissed the accusation and countered with a stinging remark directed at American leaders. “Mr. Hegseth! Our leaders have been, and still are, among the people. But your leaders? On Epstein’s island!”

Larijani’s statement came as Iranian officials appeared publicly during demonstrations in Tehran marking the annual Al Quds Day rally held in support of Palestinians. The gathering took place even as the confrontation with the United States and Israel continued into its second week.

Footage circulated online showing President Masoud Pezeshkian walking through the crowd during the march. According to reports, he moved among participants without an obvious security detail, greeting attendees and pausing for selfies with people lining the route.

Large crowds filled the streets for the event, chanting slogans including “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” while waving Iranian flags and displaying images associated with Palestinian fighters. Demonstrators voiced solidarity with Palestinians and support for groups engaged in the conflict with Israel and the United States.

Several senior Iranian officials attended the rally alongside the president, including Larijani and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Their appearance came despite continued fears of strikes during the conflict, which began on February 28 and has already claimed the lives of numerous high-ranking figures, among them Iran’s supreme leader.

The tense atmosphere intensified when an explosion struck a square in Tehran where the demonstrations were taking place. One woman was killed in the blast. Larijani accused Israel of carrying out the attack, saying the bombing showed that Israel was acting out of fear and was “running out of option.”

Hegseth also made claims about Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, suggesting he had been seriously hurt. “We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” he said. “He put out a statement yesterday, a weak one actually, but there was no voice and there was no video.”

The defence secretary questioned why only a written message had appeared. “Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders, why a written statement? I think you know why,” he said.

Mojtaba Khamenei later issued remarks on the war, pledging retaliation and declaring that the Strait of Hormuz would remain shut while attacks against US bases in Gulf countries would continue in response to what he called the “blood of martyrs.”