Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed after his father and predecessor was killed in US-Israeli strikes.
– “I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.
– “At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” the Russian leader said.
– Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen by Iran’s Assembly of Experts to succeed his late father as supreme leader, in a sign that hardliners were still firmly in charge.
– The clerical body named the 56-year-old mid-ranking cleric, who has survived the US-Israeli air war on Iran, as successor more than a week after Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike.