Overview

• After 12 days of near-total seclusion, Khamenei resurfaced on June 26 in a low-quality video address declaring victory
• Israeli strikes killed several of his top advisers and severely damaged Iran’s nuclear sites and missile facilities
• His prolonged absence undermined his authority, with figures like President Masoud Pezeshkian managing ceasefire talks and official communications
• Authorities arrested over 700 people on suspicion of spying for Israel and the Guardian Council approved suspending cooperation with the IAEA pending site safety guarantees
• Speculation over succession is intensifying, with his son Mojtaba, former president Hassan Rouhani and hard-line clerics seen as possible contenders