Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s Supreme Leader in March 2026 followed the assassination of his father during U.S.-Israeli strikes, after which he has issued only written statements while avoiding all public appearances, video addresses, or confirmed visual records. This extended absence has fueled persistent speculation about injuries sustained in the initial attacks and broader concerns over regime stability during the ongoing conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed a private multi-hour meeting with him in May 2026, and a Russian envoy later stated that Khamenei remains in the country but is limiting visibility for security reasons. These factors, combined with the Assembly of Experts selection process and IRGC influence in his elevation, shape trader assessments of when a verifiable public appearance might occur amid wartime precautions and succession sensitivities.