Armenian Prime Minister Congratulates Iran’s New Supreme Leader

YEREVAN — Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message to Mojtaba Khamenei on the occasion of his selection as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

“Please accept my congratulations on your election as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

I am confident that the strong ties between Armenia and Iran will continue to develop, achieving new successes.

Taking this opportunity, I wish the friendly people of Iran prosperity and lasting peace,” the message stated.

Late on March 8, Iranian state media reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s spiritual leader Ali Khamenei, had been chosen to assume the position of Supreme Leader.

During the American–Israeli strikes on February 28, Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly avoided harm because, unlike his father Ali Khamenei and other members of the family, he was in a different location at the time.

Mojtaba Khamenei is 56 years old and was born in the city of Mashhad, Iran. He became a cleric at a young age after graduating from Iran’s religious seminary. He has rarely been a public figure. In recent years, however, his name had circulated among potential successors to the position of Supreme Leader, alongside Iran’s late president Ebrahim Raisi.