Putin Congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei — Pledges 'Unwavering Support for Tehran and Solidarity'

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran's supreme leader, with the Kremlin releasing a statement confirming Putin's message. Putin expressed confidence that Mojtaba would continue his father's work 'with honor' and unite the Iranian people 'in the face of severe trials.' He added that Russia would continue to stand by Tehran, expressing his wish to 'confirm unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends.' The Putin congratulations formalise the Russia-Iran axis at the leadership level: Russia's president has directly recognised Mojtaba's authority, potentially constraining Western pressure on the succession. The 'unwavering support' language goes beyond diplomatic courtesy — it is a direct message to the US and Israel that Russia backs the Mojtaba-IRGC hardliner government's continuation of the war. Combined with China's statement opposing targeting of Mojtaba, the Russia-China-Iran bloc has now explicitly rallied around the new supreme leader in the first hours of his formal tenure.