Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts as supreme leader on March 9, 2026, days after his father Ali Khamenei's assassination in late February during U.S.-Israeli strikes that opened a broader regional conflict. He has issued written statements through state media vowing continuity in hardline foreign policy, including threats against U.S. bases and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while maintaining a low public profile with no verified video appearances or images since taking office. Reports of possible injury during the strikes and internal power consolidation favoring IRGC networks have shaped discussions around regime stability. No confirmed diplomatic travel, exile, or departure from Iranian territory has occurred, and scheduled events such as further military responses or leadership statements could influence assessments of his location and role through mid-2026.