U.S. Officials Say Iran’s New Supreme Leader Gravely Wounded Amid Escalating Conflict

Protesters hold posters of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a protest marking al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day), after Friday prayers at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was seriously wounded and likely disfigured during the opening phase of U.S. and Israeli military strikes. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth described Iran’s leadership as “desperate and hiding,” asserting that Khamenei has gone underground following injuries sustained in the attacks. 

Reports from multiple outlets indicate that Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the conflict began, fueling speculation about the severity of his condition. Some accounts suggest he may have suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of a limb and a possible coma, after an airstrike that also killed members of his family. 

U.S. officials argue that the damage to Iran’s leadership structure raises questions about the regime’s stability and its ability to coordinate military operations. As the conflict intensifies, the lack of verified images or statements from Khamenei continues to deepen uncertainty about Iran’s internal command and the future of its political hierarchy.