Analysis: Iran's Supreme Leader remains out of public view, Israeli assassination threats exacerbate internal divisions.

Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was laid to rest in Mashhad on local time July 9. His eldest, third, and fourth sons all attended the funeral, while the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remained "in hiding" due to security risks, not publicly participating in any memorial or burial events. Reports said Mojtaba was previously injured in an airstrike and continues to face ongoing assassination threats from Israel. Sources familiar with the matter stated he now almost never uses electronic devices, communicating with the outside world only through in-person meetings or messengers to avoid exposing his whereabouts. Meanwhile, divisions within Iran over whether to continue negotiations with the U.S. are widening. Pragmatists advocate easing sanctions and economic pressure through talks, while hardliners oppose compromise with the U.S. and have publicly criticized the negotiation team. Although Mojtaba has authorized the government to advance a preliminary agreement with the U.S., the decision has still sparked internal controversy among conservatives. Analysts believe that Mojtaba’s future choices regarding personnel appointments, U.S. policy, and security strategy will serve as an important window into Iran’s power structure and foreign policy direction.