Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday confirmed Russia’s ‘unwavering’ support to Iran in the ongoing conflict with the United States and Iran.
Putin also congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran’s new leader even as Israel has warned of ‘pursuing’ Khameini’s successor.
Putin said that Russia would continue to stand by Tehran, saying he wished to “confirm unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” AFP quoted Putin as saying.
Congratulating Mojtoba Khamenei, Putin said he was confident Khamenei would continue his father’s work “with honour” and unite the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials.”
“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.
Earlier, in a phone call late on Friday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin expressed his deep condolences over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, members of Khamenei’s family, Iranian political and military leaders and “numerous civilians”
“Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled stance in favour of an immediate cessation of hostilities, the rejection of force as a method to solve any issues surrounding Iran or arising in the Middle East, and a swift return to the path of diplomatic resolution,” the Kremlin reportedly said.
Iran named Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of the country’s late supreme leader, the Islamic Republic’s next ruler on Monday. Born in 1969, in the holy city of Mashhad in eastern Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei is one of six children of the late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.