Pentagon Says Iran's New Leader Wounded as U.S. Escalates Strikes
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded and vowed heavier strikes after U.S.-Israeli campaign reportedly hit over 15,000 targets since the war began.
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One America News NetworkHegseth: Iran’s newly selected Supreme Leader is ‘wounded and likely disfigured’
Overview
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in U.S.-Israeli strikes and vowed to ramp up bombing, calling for the heaviest day of kinetic fires.
Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by the Assembly of Experts on 8 March after his father was assassinated on February 28 and issued a written statement pledging to avenge Iranians killed.
Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters he believes Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but injured.
Hegseth said U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit more than 15,000 targets since the war began, and Iran's Health Ministry reported at least 1,444 killed and 18,551 injured.
CENTCOM confirmed that six U.S. service members aboard an Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft were killed after it crashed in Iraq on Thursday, and said the loss was not due to hostile or friendly fire with investigations ongoing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources emphasize U.S. military perspectives and impending escalation by foregrounding defense officials' assertions and militaristic descriptors, presenting large strike counts and promises to 'ramp up' operations. Direct vivid quotes (e.g., 'wounded and likely disfigured') are source content; editorial framing appears in source selection, limited Iranian viewpoints, and absent independent verification.
FAQ
Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on February 28, 2026, in U.S.-Israeli strikes. He was selected as the new Supreme Leader by Iran's Assembly of Experts on March 8, 2026.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in U.S.-Israeli strikes. Vice President J.D. Vance said he believes Khamenei is alive but injured.
U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit over 15,000 targets since the war began. Iran's Health Ministry reported at least 1,444 killed and 18,551 injured.
CENTCOM confirmed six U.S. service members were killed when an Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq on Thursday; the cause is under investigation and not due to hostile or friendly fire.
A written statement attributed to him was read on Iranian state media, pledging to avenge deaths and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, but there are no signs of life or direct appearances from him, with speculation about injury.
