Nations react as Mojtaba Khamenei assumes role of Iran’s Supreme Leader

Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader following the death of his father Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes. Although Mojtaba Khamenei has never held a formal government role, the Assembly of Experts selected the 56-year-old cleric as the country faces escalating tensions and war with the United States and Israel. Analysts view him as a hardliner closely linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, suggesting he will maintain the policies of his father’s leadership.

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Allies express support while the US and Israel criticize Iran’s new Supreme Leader

Senior figures in Iran’s political and security establishment quickly backed the appointment. President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior official Ali Larijani, and leaders of the IRGC expressed support, framing the decision as a show of resilience during one of the most serious crises in the Islamic Republic’s history.

Regional allies also responded swiftly. Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said congratulated the new leader, while Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s solidarity with Iran and called for an end to military actions threatening regional stability.

However, reactions from global powers remained divided. US President Donald Trump criticized the choice, saying Iran had made a mistake, while Israel’s Foreign Ministry condemned Mojtaba Khamenei as a continuation of his father’s rule. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged strong support for Tehran, and China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that Iran’s leadership decision was an internal matter that other countries should respect.

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