Hegseth claims Iran's new supreme leader is "wounded and likely disfigured"

Axios
by Barak Ravid
March 13, 2026
4 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Defense Secretary says Iran's new supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured.

AI Summary

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters Friday that Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured," marking the first official Trump administration statement about Khamenei's health since he assumed leadership after his father Ali Khamenei was killed. Hegseth cited Khamenei's Thursday written statement—delivered on Iranian state television without video or photo—as evidence of weakness and injury. President Trump separately told G7 leaders Wednesday that Khamenei "is not in good shape" and questioned who is actually leading Iran.

Source Coverage Map

10 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

23% coverage
Did Not Cover (33)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96AP Top News96+28 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Iran's new supreme leader injured in strikes which killed his father
Global

Iran's new supreme leader injured in strikes which killed his father

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the US-Israeli airstrikes which killed his father.

Sky NewsMar 11
US offers reward for information on Iran's supreme leader, senior officials - Reuters
National Security

US offers reward for information on Iran's supreme leader, senior officials - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxPRWRBSW9DZHVCaHJYcWJwUXkzTjNCT1E4Z0dqREZjRGI0YnozaWx3VGJpTUZDOFdnR0hsZG5OaEdqamdXdUczN3pSZE9PSWduVW96X3FDRUxzU3NLSTZxLWlFX1lTM0hNT1FjYVNTMFRVeWltUHlpTFppTG5HVFpsZHVrY25odVdZRzdsU25pSjNBWlBpVHVqSmNrd28xOEF6RzFTa19XMnBoUUxHT2VOTTcteGoyam5kY1B1bA?oc=5" target="_blank">US offers reward for information on Iran's supreme leader, senior officials</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 13
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's extended 60 Minutes interview
National Security

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's extended 60 Minutes interview

CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett sat down with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, D.C. They spoke on Friday, March 6th about the state of the war with Iran, potential American casualties, what an Iranian surrender could look like, and more. Editor's note: The video above is an extended version of the interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday, March 8, 2026. This extended version was condensed for clarity.

CBS NewsMar 8
Pete Hegseth says ‘there will be more casualties’ in US war with Iran
National Security

Pete Hegseth says ‘there will be more casualties’ in US war with Iran

<p>Comments from defense secretary come as number of US service members killed in conflict has climbed to seven</p><p>Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, has said “there will be more casualties” in the US military from the Trump administration’s war in Iran after officials confirmed on Sunday that the number of US service members killed had <a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2030727586226360485?s=20">climbed to seven</a>.</p><p>Hegseth made the statement during <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-us-strikes-iran-trump-plans-60-minutes-transcript/">an appearance</a> Sunday night on CBS’s 60 Minutes, during which he portrayed Donald Trump’s decision for the US to join Israeli attacks on the Middle East country as essential “to advance American interests, and protect American lives”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/09/pete-hegseth-us-war-with-iran-casualties">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 9
Iran's next supreme leader won't 'last long' without my approval, Trump says - ABC News
Global

Iran's next supreme leader won't 'last long' without my approval, Trump says - ABC News

ABC NewsMar 8
Key quotes from Iran’s supreme leader’s first public statement - AP News
Global

Key quotes from Iran’s supreme leader’s first public statement - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxOWG9YaUptWklXMTJ4NWpXQzJ6VU0zYWVJTTNzbldoZjlTZ3lFbl96R2V5ME5DMFJqSEgxQXdiSjJfTDJVek9oMnRkV0hSMlNCV09oX3lwWG94c0pfbXZkMVZDR1ZMTFJwNFhBSHhEV2tUbGtkU0dVVG1uYW1yWDlPVWxRT19vajQ4T0JRTFdlLUN3dw?oc=5" target="_blank">Key quotes from Iran’s supreme leader’s first public statement</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 12
Read Next
Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked
National Security

Trump says US destroyed every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens oil infrastructure if tankers blocked

President Trump said on Friday that the U.S. military conducted one of the most “powerful” bombing raids and totally “obliterated” every military target on Iran’s Kharg Island, one of the country’s most vital economic outposts.  The president said that for “reasons of decency,” the U.S. military did not wipe out the oil infrastructure on the…

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources