Iran’s supreme leadership has remained with Mojtaba Khamenei since his March 2026 appointment following his father Ali Khamenei’s death in late-February U.S.-Israeli strikes. Persistent questions center on Mojtaba’s health and visibility, as he has made no public appearances or verified statements since the conflict began. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in late September that the 56-year-old leader is “completely healthy,” citing recent extended meetings and rejecting injury claims, while attributing the absence to security concerns. Reports of injuries from strikes on medical facilities and speculation over decision-making authority continue amid stalled diplomacy on the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear issues. These factors sustain trader focus on potential further succession or power shifts before any defined resolution window.