- Pakistan affirms solidarity with Iran during difficult times.
- PM Shehbaz prays for Mojtaba’s success and Iran’s peace, stability.
- Reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to close cooperation with Iran.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on assuming the responsibilities of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressing hope that his leadership will guide the country towards peace, stability, dignity, and prosperity in the years ahead.
In his letter, the prime minister also conveyed condolences to the Iranian leadership and people on the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, father of the new supreme leader, and other family members, the PM’s Office said in a statement.
He noted that the loss is deeply felt by the people of Pakistan and affirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran and its citizens during this difficult time.
PM Shehbaz highlighted that Pakistan-Iran relations are based on shared faith, history, culture, and language.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue close cooperation with Iran to strengthen bilateral ties across all areas of mutual interest for the benefit of both countries.
The prime minister also prayed for the health and success of Mojtaba, and for peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, had been appointed to succeed his father as the new head of the nation.
The younger Khamenei was named supreme leader by the top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, in a statement published shortly after midnight on Monday in Iran.
The 56-year-old mid-ranking cleric has survived the US-Israeli air war on Iran. His 86-year-old father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was martyred in an airstrike by US-Israel last week.
A member of the council, Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, said in a video on Sunday that a candidate had been selected based on Khamenei’s guidance that Iran’s top leader should be “hated by the enemy”.
“Even the Great Satan (US) has mentioned his name,” Heidari Alekasir said of the chosen successor, days after US President Donald Trump said Mojtaba was an “unacceptable” choice for him.
Other contenders for the top position had included Alireza Arafi, one of the three members of the interim council running the country, Mohsen Araki, and even Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic republic — Ruhollah Khomeini — in 1979.
— Additional input from Reuters
