Iran's new supreme leader has not appeared in public since father's death

Mojtaba Khamenei was named Iran's supreme leader after his father Ali Khamenei was killed in a U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28. The younger Khamenei has issued more than a dozen written messages since taking the post but has not appeared in public.

Officials have said he was wounded in the attack that also killed his wife Zahra Haddad Adel and other family members. No concrete proof of his condition has been released.

Background and prior role Mojtaba Khamenei had not held any government position before his appointment. He was viewed as second-in-command in the office of the supreme leader under Mohammad Golpayegani and maintained close ties to Revolutionary Guards leadership.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned him in November 2019, stating he represented his father in an official capacity and worked with Quds Force and Basij commanders.

Messages and public questions In a June 18 message, Mojtaba Khamenei said he had given his blessing to talks with the U.S. to end the war despite holding a different view. His messages have continued his father's confrontational stance toward Israel and the United States.

Ali Khamenei's funeral begins Saturday. Observers will watch for any public appearance by Mojtaba Khamenei, and questions will increase if he does not appear. University of Ottawa professor Thomas Juneau said the role of Mojtaba Khamenei remains unclear and it is unlikely he holds the same degree of influence his father exercised.