World reacts to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s election as new Leader of Islamic Revolution

By Humaira Ahad

Following the announcement by the Assembly of Experts, electing Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution, congratulatory messages have been poured in from across the world, from state leaders to resistance movements across the region.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei succeeds Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was martyred in an Israeli-American act of aggression on February 28 at his residence in Tehran.

The election of the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution by the 88-member body of most prominent clerics of the country took just over a week, and the announcement was made on Sunday evening, sparking street celebrations across the country.

Russia: Putin highlights courage and continuity

In a congratulatory message to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Russian President Vladimir Putin underscored the difficult geopolitical moment in which this transition has occurred.

Putin stated that Iran is confronting armed aggression and that the responsibilities now placed on the new Leader require exceptional fortitude:

"Now, as Iran confronts armed aggression, your actions in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication," Putin said in a message published on the Kremlin website.

The Russian president added that he was confident that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei would continue his father’s work “with honour” and unite the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials.”

He further affirmed Moscow’s enduring alliance, “For my part, I would like to confirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends. Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic. I wish you success in solving the difficult tasks ahead of you, as well as good health and strength of spirit," the message read.

China: Rejection of foreign interference

China also welcomed the leadership transition in Iran, emphasizing that the appointment of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei was carried out strictly in line with Iran’s constitutional framework.

China also addressed growing threats and the Western narrative surrounding the election of the new Leader.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that China rejects any threats targeting the Leader and opposes all forms of external interference in Iran’s internal affairs.

“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” Jiakun said.

Tajikistan: Iran will overcome difficulties

In a message to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Emomali Rahmon, the President of Tajikistan, stated that he extends his “congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of your worthy election as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“I believe that under your leadership, the proud people of Iran will overcome all the difficulties facing our friendly and brotherly country today,” he wrote.

Rahmon also expressed his readiness to further strengthen and expand cooperation between “Tajikistan and Iran for the benefit of our two brotherly nations, based on goodwill, trust, and mutual respect.”

Iraq: Leader for the era of struggle

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia' al-Sudani also congratulated Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei on his election as the third Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Adnan Fayhan al-Dulaimi, First Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi parliament, called the development a significant moment in Iran’s political affairs.

In a detailed message, al-Dulaimi stated, “On this blessed night of the holy month of Ramadan, we extend our sincerest congratulations to the dear people of Iran on the occasion of the election of His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s Supreme Leader. We wish him success and continued guidance in leading the Islamic Republic toward strength, progress, and greater power during this sensitive chapter in the nation’s history.”

Praising the Islamic Republic’s political system, he emphasized that Iraq stands with Iran against US-Israel aggression.

“While congratulating Iran, its leadership and its people, on this event, which is a significant milestone in the political system of the Islamic Republic and reflects the will of its constitutional institutions and the aspirations of its people for the continuation of the nation’s course, we declare our full solidarity with the Iranian people in the face of the brutal aggression to which they are being subjected, in violation of international laws and conventions.”

From Iraq, major resistance factions and political leaders also issued separate statements, condoling the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei and hailing Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s election as his successor.

Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata'ib Hezbollah, hailed the election of Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the Leader and standard-bearer of resistance forces worldwide.

The election of the Leader is “evidence of the astuteness, insight, and deep foresight of the Assembly of Experts regarding the magnitude of the fateful challenges facing the nation,” he said.

Al-Hamidawi described the new Leader as possessing the leadership qualities and competence required for this era.

Senior Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim extended congratulations to the new Leader.

Sayyed Hashem al-Heidari, Secretary-General of Iraq’s al-Ahd Movement, declared allegiance to the new Leader.

“O our Sayyed! O our Imam! O the Awaited One! We pledge to you obedience, loyalty, and allegiance to your rightful deputy, the Guardian Leader Ayatollah Khamenei (may his shadow be prolonged), on the path of Islam, Wilayah, the Qur’an, and the Sharia,” al-Heidari stated.

Pakistan: ‘Long live the Islamic Republic of Iran’

Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari, a senior senator and leader of the opposition in Pakistan’s Senate, issued a congratulatory message for the Leader of the Revolution.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming the immense responsibility of leadership, and to the noble people of Iran as well as the devoted followers of the martyred Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, may Allah (SWT) elevate his status.”

“At a time when Iran faces relentless hostility from the forces of arrogance, may Allah safeguard your leadership and grant the Islamic Republic firmness and victory over its aggressors.”

Jafari concluded with a message of solidarity: “Those who believe in the path of resistance stand firmly with you in confronting oppression and imperialism in all its forms. Long live the Islamic Republic of Iran. Long Live Resistance.”

Ansarullah: Iran’s transition shows ‘cohesion, unity, and readiness’

Sayyed Abdul‑Malik al‑Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, congratulated the people of Iran, the country’s official institutions, and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on the election of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He stated that the realization of this event is a major slap to the tyrants of the era, namely the United States and Israel, and a great disappointment for them.

The Ansarullah leader emphasized the movement’s steadfastness and solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of aggression from the United States and Israel.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior member of the Supreme Political Council, also conveyed warm felicitations, stating:

"We congratulate the election of Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, its leadership, and its people."

He emphasized that the transition demonstrated the “strength and cohesion” of the Islamic Republic. “It reflects "the cohesion, unity, and readiness of the system and the nation."

Hezbollah: Renewed covenant and allegiance

In its statement, the Hezbollah resistance movement congratulated Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and reaffirmed its unbroken bond with the Islamic Revolution.

The Lebanese movement said it renews its covenant with the principles of the leaders of the Islamic Revolution and pledges allegiance to Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

Hezbollah declared that under his leadership, it would dedicate all efforts to realizing the principles laid down by Imam Khomeini.

“We are under the command of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme jurist (Vali-ye Faqih), and vow to make the criminal America and global arrogance regret any aggression,” Hezbollah stated.

The statement concluded with a pledge, “Under the leadership of our dear Leader, we will resist and persevere until our last breath and our last drop of blood.”

Palestine: Continuation of Iran’s revolutionary resolve

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine joined regional resistance movements in congratulating Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, framing the moment as a continuation of Iran’s revolutionary resolve and its frontline role in confronting US-Israeli aggression.

The Popular Front also congratulated the Iranian people on the election of His Eminence Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

It praised the Islamic Republic’s steadfastness in the face of “Zionist-American arrogance and criminality,” emphasizing Iran’s ability to overcome the loss of its leadership by choosing a successor capable of preserving the path and the trust.

“We realize that His Eminence, alongside the brave and loyal commanders, will continue the battle of confronting the aggression, in continuation of the great path of the martyrs, and will lead the battle to force the colonial powers to retreat and break,” the Liberation Front stated.

Bahrain: February 14 Youth Coalition calls for unity

From Bahrain, the February 14 Youth Coalition congratulated Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei and called for unity around his leadership.

The movement praised his election and expressed hope that his leadership would strengthen Muslims and reinforce the resistance axis across the region.

The international reactions form a clear picture that the election of Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has reaffirmed the stability of Iran’s constitutional order, and also galvanized the resistance axis and its regional partners at a time of brutal US-Israeli aggression against the country.

As Iran confronts escalating threats, these statements of allegiance and solidarity signal that the new Leader assumes his responsibilities backed by a broad regional consensus and by movements that have openly tied their own struggles to the leadership of the Islamic Republic.

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