**Trump’s public openness to engaging Mojtaba Khamenei if a deal advances has not overcome Iranian resistance to direct leader-level contact.** Following Ali Khamenei’s death in February 2026 strikes, Mojtaba was selected supreme leader in March and has communicated only through written statements while remaining out of public view amid reported injuries. In June, Trump stated he would be “honored” to meet the new leader contingent on progress ending hostilities and easing sanctions or blockades. Iranian advisers, including Mohsen Rezaei, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi immediately rejected the prospect as unrealistic, emphasizing that any talks would occur at lower levels or through mediators and would not imply acceptance of U.S. positions. A June memorandum of understanding launched mediated negotiations, yet no direct Trump-Khamenei interaction has occurred. Ongoing diplomatic channels, Khamenei’s limited visibility, and Tehran’s consistent stance on mediated rather than personal engagement keep trader-implied odds for a direct talk by year-end low.