Putin offers ‘unwavering support’ to new Iran supreme leader

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 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.