Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts shortly after his father Ali Khamenei’s death in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, anchors trader consensus around continuity in hardline clerical leadership. Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and IRGC representatives, have confirmed in recent days that he remains healthy, conducts extended meetings with senior figures, and directs policy from a secure position amid ongoing regional tensions, explaining his lack of public appearances. The Assembly has reached majority consensus on succession, with Mojtaba favored for his security ties and alignment with the Revolutionary Guards. Other figures such as Alireza Arafi or Hassan Khomeini receive limited consideration, while structural factors like the Assembly’s selection process and wartime conditions support the view that the current leader is positioned to retain the role through the end of 2026 absent major unforeseen shifts.