Tehran, Iran – The United States is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the location of Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, following claims he has been wounded in recent attacks. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region and escalating conflict between Iran and the U.S. And Israel.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth alleged on Friday, March 13, 2026, that Khamenei “is wounded and likely disfigured,” though he provided no evidence to support the claim. According to Al Jazeera, Hegseth made the statement during a news conference at the Pentagon.
Iran has not confirmed Khamenei’s condition, and Iranian leaders have not yet responded to Hegseth’s allegations. The reward offer, reported by multiple news outlets including The Independent, de Volkskrant, and NU, aims to gather intelligence on the new supreme leader’s whereabouts.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the position of supreme leader on February 28, 2026, following the assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the U.S. And Israel launched an assault on Iran. According to Wikipedia, Ali Khamenei served as the second supreme leader of Iran from 1989 until his death.
On Thursday, March 13, 2026, Khamenei issued his first public statement since taking office, vowing to continue fighting and threatening attacks on U.S. Bases in the region unless they are closed. He also pledged to maintain the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The development underscores growing regional tensions and the potential for further escalation in the conflict.
The U.S. And Israel have been systematically targeting Iran’s oil industry and refineries, resulting in widespread damage and environmental concerns, as reported by The Independent. The announcement of the reward for information on Khamenei’s location could influence future diplomatic talks, though the prospects for negotiation remain uncertain.
