The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, expressed on Monday Moscow's “unwavering” support for Iran following the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Jamenei as the new supreme leader of the country, succeeding his father, Ali Jamenei, who passed away during the initial bombings by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory.
In a message released by the Kremlin, the Russian leader congratulated the new religious leader and reiterated that the relationship between Moscow and Tehran will remain strong despite the war situation in the Middle East.
"Russia has been and will continue to be a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic. I wish you success in the difficult tasks you face," the congratulatory statement sent by Putin states.
The leader of the Kremlin also expressed his confidence that the new ayatollah will continue his father's political line and will be able to maintain internal cohesion in the country amid the crisis.
According to the Russian Presidency, Putin indicated that he trusts Mojtaba Jamenei will “continue his father's work with honor” and unite the Iranian people “in the face of harsh trials.”
He also reiterated his solidarity with Tehran by stating that he wishes to "confirm his unwavering support for Tehran and his solidarity with our Iranian friends."
Trump's Warning
While Moscow reaffirms its support for the new Iranian leadership, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning regarding the future of the newly appointed ayatollah.
“You will need to obtain our approval. If you don't, you won't last long”, Trump stated to ABC News, after it was revealed that the Assembly of Experts had chosen the successor to Ali Jamenei.
During the previous week, the U.S. leader had already discredited the religious figure, labeling him as a "lightweight."
The appointment of the son of the late supreme leader comes during the ninth day of war between Iran, the United States, and Israel.
The fighting has included bombings in Tehran and attacks on strategic infrastructures, such as oil depots, while the conflict threatens to expand throughout the region.
According to the Iranian Ministry of Health, more than 1,200 people have died and over 10,000 civilians have been injured since the start of the attacks, figures that have not been independently verified.
The election of the new leader
The Assembly of Experts in Iran, a body composed of 88 clerics responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader, elected Mojtaba Jamenei this Sunday as the successor to his father, who passed away on February 28 during the bombings by the United States and Israel that triggered the current war.
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -who had governed Iran since 1989- marked a turning point in the regional conflict.
His death occurred during the initial attacks on Iranian strategic facilities, in a military escalation that is already spreading across the Middle East and has raised fears of a global energy crisis.
Iranian state media confirmed the appointment early Monday morning. Mojtaba Jamenei, 56, has been regarded for years as one of the most likely candidates to succeed his father.
Although he did not hold a formal position within the state apparatus, he was known for his extensive behind-the-scenes influence and his close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard. The United States sanctioned him in 2019.
The election of the new leader was supported by the Iranian political and military elite, while the Armed Forces expressed their loyalty to the new leadership and reiterated their commitment to "determinedly counter" the aggression of the United States and Israel.
The appointment also aligns with the hardline stance that the Iranian leadership has maintained since the beginning of the war.
The president of the Parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, recently stated that Tehran is not seeking a ceasefire and that those responsible for the attacks "must be punished."
“If the enemy attacks us from any country, Tehran will respond decisively,” he warned.
Meanwhile, military tension continues to rise. Israel has already warned that the new Iranian leader could become "a target," signaling that the escalation of hostilities is far from over.
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