Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘wounded, likely disfigured’: Pentagon

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is believed to have been wounded. “We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth told a press conference, reported Reuters.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a bombing at the outset of the US–Israel war with Iran on February 28. Since taking over, the new leader has not appeared in public and is believed to be in hiding.

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He released a written statement on Thursday, marking his first message since stepping into the position. Iranian officials have acknowledged that Khamenei was injured but have not provided additional details about the nature or severity of his wounds.