Mojtaba Khamenei has remained out of public view since succeeding his late father Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader in early March 2026 following the February 28 airstrikes, with Iranian officials citing security risks and minor injuries as reasons for the seclusion. Recent developments include President Masoud Pezeshkian’s May 7 confirmation of a direct 2.5-hour meeting with the new leader—the first such acknowledgment by a senior official—alongside reports of written directives issued through intermediaries and ongoing involvement in military and diplomatic strategy. These factors sustain trader focus on whether an appearance occurs before resolution deadlines, amid persistent uncertainty over health status and the regime’s preference for controlled messaging during active U.S.-Israel negotiations.