Iran's New Leader Wounded, Disfigured

Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is wounded and likely disfigured, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Washington. This assessment follows nearly two weeks of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, raising questions about Khamenei's capacity to govern.

No images of Khamenei have been released since an Israeli strike at the war's outset killed much of his family, including his father and wife. Khamenei's first public communication was a written statement read by a television presenter on Thursday, March 12, in which he vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and urged neighboring countries to close U.S.

bases to avoid Iranian targeting. Hegseth highlighted the absence of voice or video in this statement, suggesting it indicated Khamenei's injured state and lack of legitimacy.

Background

An Iranian official had previously indicated on Wednesday that the newly appointed supreme leader sustained light injuries but remained operational, with state television describing him as war-wounded. Despite U.S.

military strikes aimed at neutralizing Iran's missile, drone, and naval capabilities, Iranian drones were subsequently reported flying into Kuwait, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman. Since U.S.

and Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, 2026, 11 U.S. troops have been killed, including four on March 13 when a U.S.

Key Developments

military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq.