Vladimir Putin has pledged Russia’s “unwavering support” to Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, vowing that Moscow will remain a “reliable partner” to Tehran as the conflict with the United States and Israel enters its second week.
In a message sent to Mojtaba Khamenei on Monday, following his appointment as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Putin said: “At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication.” He added that Russia “has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56 and son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was selected by Iran’s 88-seat Assembly of Experts — the clerical body responsible for choosing the country’s Supreme Leader. In his new role, he assumes command-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces, appoints the leaders of all military branches, oversees the judiciary and holds ultimate authority over the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including final say over the nation’s war strategy.
Putin’s public declaration of support comes after Russia’s ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, stated on Sunday that Moscow is “not neutral” in the conflict, saying his country “of course” backs the Iranian regime. Putin had also previously called for an “immediate cessation of hostilities” during a phone call with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, urging a “return to the path of political and diplomatic resolution.”
China also moved swiftly to back the appointment, with foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating that Iran’s decision was made “based on its constitution” and that Beijing “opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext.” He added that Iran’s “sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected”, in direct response to threats made against the new leader.
Those threats came from two directions. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted on X that any Iranian leader chosen to succeed Khamenei would be “a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides.” Meanwhile, Donald Trump described Mojtaba as “a lightweight” and “unacceptable”, saying he needed American approval to lead Iran. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran,” Trump said. He also indicated he would be open to approving a successor with ties to the former regime, drawing a comparison to his handling of Venezuela’s leadership transition.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking on 60 Minutes, said Washington was “willing to go as far as we need to to be successful” and that Iran would ultimately have “no choice” but to surrender. “Whether they want to admit it or not — it’s President Trump who will set the terms,” he said.
Iran’s foreign ministry dismissed any prospect of a ceasefire while attacks continue, with spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stating there was “no point to talk about anything but defence and crushing retaliations against enemies.”
Overnight, Gulf states bore the brunt of fresh Iranian strikes. Bahrain suffered 32 injuries in an attack on the island of Sitra, following drone strikes on the Bapco oil refinery. Explosions were also reported in Doha, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait all recording new attacks. Iran also launched a fresh wave of strikes on Israel, killing one person and seriously injuring at least two others in the Yehud area. Israeli airstrikes on Beirut continued, with the military warning it would target branches of a Hezbollah-linked financial institution.
