Iran's New Top Leader Speaks for the First Time — In Writing

Iran's supreme leader — the country's highest authority — Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first public message on July 18, 2026, since taking the role in March. He called for "sacred unity" and said enemies "must not detect any sign of weakness." He has not appeared in public since taking power, missing his father Ali Khamenei's funeral on July 10. Writing instead of speaking leaves questions about his health and grip on power.