US’s Hegseth claims new Iran Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei injured

Pete Hegseth’s remarks come a day after Khamenei pledged to keep fighting in first statement since he was named leader.Published On 13 Mar 2026United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has claimed that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has been wounded in US-Israeli attacks on the country.During a news conference at the Pentagon on Friday, Hegseth said Khamenei “is wounded and likely disfigured”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei vows to fight in first statement as supreme leaderlist 2 of 3Explosions near Tehran al-Quds Day march in solidarity with Palestinianslist 3 of 3The Take: How will Iran’s new supreme leader change the war?end of list“He put our statement yesterday – a weak one actually – but there was no voice, and there was no video. It was a written statement,” Hegseth said.The Pentagon chief did not provide evidence for his assessment, and Iran has not given any details about Khamenei’s condition. Iranian leaders also did not immediately respond to Hegseth’s claims.Khamenei on Thursday issued his first public statement since taking over as supreme leader following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28, the first day of the United States and Israeli assault on Iran.In written remarks that were read out on Iranian state television, Khamenei said Iran would attack all US bases in the region unless they were shuttered immediately and pledged to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.“I would like to thank the brave fighters who are doing a great job at a time when our country is under pressure and under attack,” said the Iranian leader, who has not been seen publicly since the war began.US President Donald Trump had said earlier this week that he was “not happy” with the appointment of Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader, suggesting that he may be targeted and killed like his father.“I don’t know if it’s going to last. I think they made a mistake,” the US president said on Monday.At least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured in US-Israeli attacks on Iran since the war began late last month, according to the latest figures from Iran’s Health Ministry.