Iran dismisses US claims that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded or disfigured

Iran’s foreign minister has firmly rejected speculation surrounding the condition of the country’s Supreme Leader, insisting that there are no health issues affecting Mojtaba Khamenei. The clarification comes after comments by a senior US official sparked widespread discussion and rumors about the Iranian leader’s condition.

Speaking in an interview with MS Now on Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was “no problem” with the Supreme Leader and dismissed reports suggesting otherwise. Araqchi’s remarks were aimed at countering statements made earlier by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who claimed that Khamenei had been wounded and was possibly disfigured.

The comments from Washington quickly drew attention internationally, fueling speculation about the internal situation in Iran and the status of its leadership. However, Tehran moved swiftly to deny the allegations and reassure both domestic and international audiences that the country’s leadership remains stable.

Araqchi emphasized that the reports circulating about the Supreme Leader’s condition were baseless. According to the Iranian foreign minister, there is no truth to claims suggesting that Khamenei had suffered injuries or undergone any physical harm. His statement appeared to be a direct rebuttal to the narrative emerging from US officials.

The controversy began after Hegseth suggested during a public appearance that the Iranian Supreme Leader had been wounded in recent developments and might have been physically disfigured. The claim was not accompanied by concrete evidence but nevertheless generated widespread debate in diplomatic and media circles.

Observers note that such exchanges reflect the broader tensions between Iran and the United States, which have intensified amid ongoing geopolitical confrontations in the Middle East. The two countries have frequently traded accusations and statements through official channels and public platforms, particularly during periods of military or political escalation.

For Iran, quickly dismissing the claim was crucial to maintaining an image of political continuity and leadership stability. Speculation about the health or condition of a Supreme Leader often carries significant political implications in the Islamic Republic, where the position holds ultimate authority over key national decisions.

While Washington has not provided additional details to support the allegation, Tehran’s leadership appears keen to shut down the narrative before it gains further traction. Araqchi reiterated that the Supreme Leader remains fully capable of performing his duties and that there are no issues affecting his role.

The exchange highlights how narratives about leadership and health can quickly become part of the broader information battle between rival states, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.