Mojtaba Khamenei has held Iran’s supreme leader position since March 2026 without any verified public appearance, relying instead on written statements and private meetings amid ongoing conflict. Iranian officials attribute the absence to security risks following the February strikes that killed his father Ali Khamenei and reportedly injured Mojtaba, prompting concerns over potential targeting. Recent developments include October 2026 reports of in-person sessions with Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, plus earlier claims of a lengthy meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian; a diplomat also asserted Mojtaba’s good health and low-profile activities, including alleged funeral attendance. These private interactions and official reassurances have not produced video, audio, or photographic confirmation, sustaining trader focus on whether security protocols, health factors, or regime strategy will shift to enable a visible appearance before any market deadline.