Iranian Minister Says New Supreme Leader ‘Has No Problem’, Rejects US Wound Claim

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 22:57 IST

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied US claims that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded in recent strikes.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was “no problem" with Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, rejecting claims by the United States that he had been wounded and disfigured during the ongoing war.

In an interview with MS Now on Saturday, Araqchi dismissed remarks made a day earlier by Pete Hegseth, who had said the Iranian leader was “wounded and likely disfigured" following US-Israeli strikes.

“He is fine. There is no problem," Araqchi said, pushing back against speculation about Khamenei’s health and ability to lead the country.

Who is Iran’s Supreme Leader?

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, became Iran’s Supreme Leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in airstrikes at the start of the current war on February 28.

The Supreme Leader is Iran’s most powerful political and religious authority, controlling the armed forces, intelligence services and key state institutions.

Mojtaba, long seen as a powerful figure behind the scenes in Iranian politics, was chosen by Iran’s clerical leadership shortly after his father’s death to take over the role.

Family members killed in the strike

The strike that killed Ali Khamenei also killed several members of his family. Among those reported dead were his daughter Boshra Khamenei, her daughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, and his son-in-law Mesbah Bagheri Kani.

Another relative, Zahra Haddad-Adel, also died in the attack, according to Iranian reports.

Claims about injuries

US officials have suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei himself may have been injured in the same strike and has not appeared publicly since assuming power, fueling speculation about his condition.

Hegseth said the Iranian leader’s absence from video appearances and reliance on written statements indicated he might be seriously wounded.

Iranian officials, however, insist the new Supreme Leader remains fully capable of governing and dismissed the US claims as misinformation amid the ongoing conflict.

News world Iranian Minister Says New Supreme Leader ‘Has No Problem’, Rejects US Wound Claim

Read More