Iranian supreme leader ‘wounded,’ ‘likely disfigured’: claims Hegseth
The Hindu
U.S. Defense Secretary claims Iran's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and likely disfigured amid ongoing conflict.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on Friday (March 13, 2026) he believes Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is wounded.
"We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured," Mr. Hegseth told a press conference.
Mr. Khamenei issued a written statement on Thursday (March 12, 2026) but has remained in hiding since taking over from his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in bombing at the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on February 28.
Iranian officials have confirmed the new leader is wounded but have given no further detail.
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