Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, and offered his “unwavering support” on Monday.
“Today, as Iran is opposing an armed aggression, your work in this high post will certainly require immense courage and selflessness,” the Russian president said in a statement.
In a widely anticipated move, a body of 88 Iranian clerics appointed Khamenei on Sunday to succeed his father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in this role. The elder Khamenei was killed by joint strikes launched by the U.S. and Israel at the end of February.
“I am confident that you will continue your father’s work with honour and consolidate the Iranian people in the face of harsh ordeals,” Putin said in Monday’s message. “On my part, I want to confirm our unwavering support of Tehran and our solidarity with our Iranian friends. Russia has been and will remain the Islamic Republic’s reliable partner.”
The Russian president ended his Monday message by wishing the new leader “success in tackling the challenges in front of you, good health and strong spirit.”
