'Wounded, Likely Disfigured': US Says Injured Iran Supreme Leader Lacks Legitimacy, On The Run

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 18:08 IST

Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defense, said Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "wounded" and "disfigured" after US-Israeli strikes.

Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense, said on Friday that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is “wounded" and disfigured", adding the country’s leadership has gone underground amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes.

The statement followed a report which said Mojtaba, the son of Iran’s slain leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is reportedly in a coma and has lost at least one leg after being critically injured during an air strike.

“We know the new so-called, not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured. He put out a statement yesterday, but there was no voice and no video. It was only a written statement", Hegseth said.

The Defense Secretary added Iran’s Supreme Leader is “on the run" and that “he lacks legitimacy". “Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders — so why only a written statement? I think you know why. He’s scared. He’s injured. He’s on the run, and he lacks legitimacy. It’s a mess for them", he added.

Questioning the leadership of Iran amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Hegseth asked, “Who’s in charge? Iran may not even know."

‘In Very Serious Condition’ 

According to a report by The Sun, citing sources familiar with the matter, Mojtaba Khamenei “lost at least one leg and has also suffered serious stomach or liver damage".

Khamenei is reportedly being treated under tight security at the Sina University Hospital in Tehran, said the report, citing a source who said the leader is in “very serious" condition.

“One or two of his legs have been cut off. His liver or stomach has also ruptured. He is apparently in a coma as well," the source told The Sun.

Mojtaba’s First Message To Nation

On Thursday, Iran issued the first message in the name of its Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying the nation will not forget the revenge “for the blood of martyrs".

“We will not forget the revenge for the blood of the martyrs", he said, stressing attacks on the military bases of the United States in the Gulf will continue.

“We believe in friendship with our neighbours, but we will target the American bases and will inevitably continue", he said.

The Supreme Leader noted that the desire of the masses is the “continuation of effective and regret-inducing defense".

News world 'Wounded, Likely Disfigured': US Says Injured Iran Supreme Leader Lacks Legitimacy, On The Run

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