Iran’s New Supreme Leader Reportedly Wounded in US-Israeli Strikes

WASHINGTON – United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Friday, March 13, 2026, that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and likely disfigured, raising questions about his ability to govern following nearly two weeks of US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Claims of Injury and Lack of Public Appearance

Hegseth questioned why no video or audio of Khamenei has been released since he was appointed supreme leader following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli assault. Khamenei’s first public statement since assuming the role was a written message read by a television presenter on Thursday.

“We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing. “He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice, and there was no video. It was a written statement.” Hegseth added, “Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father – dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy.”

An Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that the newly appointed supreme leader was lightly injured but was continuing to operate, after state television described him as war-wounded. Reuters

Continued Military Operations and Regional Threats

Hegseth, alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, emphasized ongoing US military strikes aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile, drone, and naval capabilities. Despite these efforts, reports indicate continued Iranian drone activity targeting Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman.

In a separate incident on Friday, four US service members were killed when a US military refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq. The US stated the incident involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. Al Jazeera

Khamenei’s First Statement and Regional Demands

In his written statement, Khamenei vowed to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and called on neighboring countries to close US bases on their territory, threatening Iranian retaliation if they failed to comply.

Key Takeaways

• US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and likely disfigured.
• Khamenei has not appeared publicly since assuming the role, releasing only a written statement.
• The US continues military operations against Iranian targets, whereas Iran maintains regional threats.
• Four US service members were killed in a separate incident in Iraq.