Putin pledges ‘unwavering support’ to Iran’s new leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed the position after his father and predecessor was killed in US-Israeli strikes.

“I would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said in a message to Khamenei, adding that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.

“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.

Putin’s backing for the 56-year-old Shiite cleric comes as US President Donald Trump, who had previously dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight,” warned that Iran’s new leader “is not going to last long” without his approval.

Following similar threats from Israel, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China said Beijing opposes targeting political leaders and stressed that “Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected.”

Russia, one of Iran’s closest partners, last week condemned the US-Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression.” Putin also denounced the Feb. 28 killing of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, describing it as a “cynical assassination.”

In his message, Putin expressed confidence that Mojtaba Khamenei would guide the country through the crisis and “unite the Iranian people in the face of severe trials.”

Mojtaba Khamenei is widely seen as a hardliner who is expected to continue his father’s firm stance against dissent.

Moscow has called for an end to hostilities and urged the resumption of diplomatic negotiations. In 2025, Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement that includes cooperation in addressing shared threats, though it stops short of a formal mutual defence pact.

Meanwhile, a report by The Washington Post cited sources as saying Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence to help it target American military assets in the Middle East. The Kremlin, however, has publicly stated that Iranian officials have not requested any such support.