Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Iran's Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts in early March 2026 following the February 28 assassination of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during US-Israeli strikes that initiated broader conflict. The 56-year-old cleric has issued only written statements read on state media and has made no verified public appearances, photographs, or video addresses since the transition, amid reports of injuries sustained in the initial attacks. Russian officials noted in March that he remains in Iran but is avoiding visibility for security reasons, while speculation persists about his health, location, and effective control amid the wartime leadership vacuum. Iranian state media have referenced meetings with officials but provided no visual confirmation. Traders monitor scheduled ceremonies, such as the July 2026 memorial events in Tehran, and any shifts in the conflict's intensity that could enable or delay a safe public debut, given the regime's emphasis on projecting continuity and authority.