Iran’s newly named supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, does not appear during early funeral observances for his assassinated father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting speculation about his condition and Iran’s internal balance of power. Multiple reports say Mojtaba Khamenei is absent from key ceremonies and does not issue an accompanying message, leaving uncertainty as mourning events proceed and the public awaits a first appearance. Accounts also describe tightly managed funeral proceedings, including statements that the burial is limited to family members in Mashhad, while wider ceremonies draw crowds and foreign attention. Separately, Iran’s supreme leader’s office says Mojtaba Khamenei will hold a memorial ceremony for Ali Khamenei on Friday, which could mark his first public appearance since taking over after his father’s death. Some analyses link the continued absence to possible health issues or security and assassination concerns, while other commentary suggests the situation may signal changes in how power is shared between the supreme leader’s office and other institutions, including the Revolutionary Guards. Overall, sources describe an ongoing leadership vacuum in public view while mourning continues.