Mojtaba Khamenei assumed Iran’s supreme leadership in March 2026 after his father Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 at the outset of the conflict with the United States and Israel. He has since directed policy through written statements, including directives on Strait of Hormuz management, while remaining largely absent from public view amid reports of injuries and heightened security concerns. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed a lengthy in-person meeting with him in early May, and U.S. intelligence assessments indicate Mojtaba continues to shape wartime strategy and negotiations. As supreme leader during active hostilities, his temporary or permanent departure from Iran would mark a notable break from established leadership continuity and could influence succession dynamics or diplomatic signaling. No scheduled public events or official travel announcements have altered this positioning in recent weeks.