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US President Donald Trump earlier said that no Supreme Leader would last long without the approval of Washington. He also called Mojtaba a lightweight.
Russia-China backed Mojtaba Khamenei
New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 9, 2026 20:07 IST
Iran's Assembly of Experts on Monday announced Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the next Supreme Leader of the nation. The selection attracted sharp reactions from multiple global powers, including China and Russia, who welcomed the move.
A few hours after the appointment, Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Mojtaba, saying that Moscow would stand by Tehran in the upcoming time. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the 73-year-old Russian President expressed his confidence in the mid-ranking cleric and mentioned that he would continue his father’s work with honour and would unite the people of Iran “in the face of several trials.”
"I am confident that you will continue your father's work with honour and unite the Iranian people in the face of severe challenges. For my part, I would like to confirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends,” Putin said.
China, on the other hand, also urged the world to respect Iran’s sovereignty. Calling the appointment of Mojtaba as Iran’s internal matter, Beijing said that it would oppose any attempt that would target the newly-appointed Supreme Leader.
THE US REACTION
China’s reaction came against the backdrop of the United States’ warning that the newly appointed Supreme Leader would not be able to run the country without the approval from Washington.
“He's going to have to get approval from us. If he doesn't get approval from us, he's not going to last long,” Trump said in a conversation with ABC News.
A few days ago, Trump also expressed his dissatisfaction over the possibility of Mojtaba being chosen as the next Supreme Leader. Calling him a “lightweight” to rule Iran in the upcoming days, Trump mentioned that if Iran selects any leader holding allegiance to Khamenei’s policies, then it would compel the US to launch another war against Iran within five years.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei's son is a lightweight. I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela," Trump told Axios when he was asked about Ali Khamenei's son.
Although Trump has not elaborately spoken on the appointment of Mojtaba and did not disclose what policy the US would take after the appointment. When the Times of Israel asked him about Mojtaba, he said, “We will see.”
- Ends
Published By:
Akash Chatterjee
Published On:
Mar 9, 2026 20:07 IST
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