Iran’s political and military leadership has pledged allegiance to the country’s newly appointed supreme leader, reinforcing support for the leadership transition during a period of escalating regional tensions.
Senior officials, including Masoud Pezeshkian and top commanders of the armed forces, have publicly backed Mojtaba Khamenei after his selection by the Assembly of Experts.
Araghchi congratulates new leader
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment.
In a statement posted on X, Araghchi pledged continued commitment to defending Iran’s national interests.
“We pledge that, in defence of the rights of the great Iranian nation, the advancement of national interests and security, and the realisation of the lofty goals of the Islamic revolution, we shall not falter for a moment,” he wrote.
President welcomes ‘new era of dignity and strength’
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian also welcomed the decision by the Assembly of Experts.
In a statement carried by Fars News Agency, Pezeshkian said the appointment marked the beginning of a “new era of dignity and strength” for the country.
He described the selection as a reflection of national unity and resilience.
“This valuable choice is a manifestation of the will of the Islamic nation to consolidate national unity; a unity that, like a solid barrier, has made the Iranian nation resistant to the conspiracies of the enemies,” the president said.
Senior leaders pledge loyalty
Several influential political figures also pledged support for the new supreme leader.
Among them were senior Iranian politicians Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf and Ali Larijani.
Larijani said Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei had been “nurtured in the Leadership Seminary” and expressed hope that his leadership would guide the country toward development.
“With the teachings he has learned from his esteemed father, he can guide the country,” Larijani said, expressing hope that Iran would move toward progress during his leadership.
Armed forces and IRGC declare support
Iranian state media also reported that the leadership of the country’s armed forces had pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader.
The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement declaring its readiness to follow Mojtaba Khamenei.
The backing from the military establishment signals strong institutional support for the new leader.
The Assembly of Experts convened on Sunday to select a new leader despite reported threats against the body.
According to Ali Larijani, the meeting took place under sensitive conditions but ultimately concluded with the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Larijani called on the nation to unite behind the new leader during the current challenges facing the country.
The leadership transition comes as tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel continue to escalate.
Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the region following recent U.S. and Israeli attacks.
The U.S. Department of State announced that non-emergency government employees and their families were ordered to leave Saudi Arabia due to security concerns.
The decision came days after a drone attack damaged the U.S. embassy in the Saudi capital.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, a drone attempting to target the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh was intercepted and shot down.
The area hosts several foreign diplomatic missions, including the U.S. embassy.
Washington has also increased security warnings for Saudi Arabia and allowed some personnel to leave the country.
Meanwhile, staff departures have also been ordered from U.S. embassies in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain since the conflict began.
Israel has continued to target senior Iranian figures during the ongoing conflict.
Israeli officials said Abolqasem Babaian, recently appointed head of the military office of the supreme leader, was killed in a strike on Saturday.
The developments underscore the rapidly evolving security situation in the region.
