Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a February 2026 US-Israeli strike, prompting the Assembly of Experts to elect his son Mojtaba Khamenei as successor in March amid wartime conditions. Mojtaba has since governed largely through written directives and private consultations, with a series of October 2026 meetings involving senior military, parliamentary, and security officials aimed at demonstrating continuity and readiness in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf theater. Military command appointments filled gaps from prior losses, reinforcing IRGC influence within a security-focused coalition. Ongoing diplomatic contacts with regional actors and reported conditions for de-escalation continue to shape assessments of leadership stability through the remainder of 2026.