Iran Leadership Vacuum Deepens: Mojtaba Khamenei Unseen, IRGC Consolidates Power

Three weeks after assuming the supreme leader role following his father's death in US-Israeli strikes, Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in any photograph or video. He was reportedly wounded in the strikes and has issued only two written statements. The IRGC has filled the governance vacuum, with its 'mosaic' command structure enabling continuity despite significant leadership losses. Key power centers include Ahmad Vahidi (Guards Commander), Esmail Qaani (Qods Force), and Parliament Speaker Qalibaf, who is reportedly the interlocutor in back-channel talks with Washington.