After the U.S.-Iran deal, speculation grows over Mojtaba Khamenei's first public appearance

As talks advance toward a U.S.-Iran agreement to end the war, Iranian commentators increasingly believe Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may finally appear in public. Since taking the post, he has not been seen even once, and analysts say the most likely debut would be during funeral events for his father, the former supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

According to Iranian state media, the funeral procession will begin in Tehran on July 4 and continue for several days. The convoy is expected to pass through several major locations across the country, including the holy city of Qom, before Ali Khamenei is buried in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9. Observers say the ceremonies are expected to draw large crowds and senior figures from Iran's political establishment, making them the most likely stage for Mojtaba Khamenei's first public appearance.

Mojtaba Khamenei has remained out of sight since the start of the war and, more strongly, since his appointment as supreme leader. Reports say he is staying at a secret location because of fears of assassination attempts. He was reportedly present in the compound where his father was staying during the strike in which Ali Khamenei was killed, and he was also hurt in that attack, though no official details have been released about the nature of his injuries or his condition.

His long absence has fueled speculation inside and outside Iran. Messages attributed to him continue to appear in official channels and on social media, but there is no proof that he personally authored them or is directly running the regime. In the West and across the region, officials are watching closely, since a public appearance could offer the first sign of his health and of how he plans to govern after the war. For Tehran, it would also signal stability and continuity after months of security and political turmoil, although it remains unclear whether he will attend the funeral publicly or stay hidden בגלל security concerns. Even after the Washington-Tehran deal, Iranian sources say a possible Israeli threat is still being considered, which may affect his decision.