PM Shehbaz Congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei on Assuming Iran’s Supreme Leadership, Hopes for Peace and Stability

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on taking office as the 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 a letter to Mojtaba Khamenei, the prime minister also conveyed condolences to the Iranian leadership and people on the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, father of the new supreme leader, and other family members, according to a statement from the PM’s Office.

PM Shehbaz reiterated that the people of Pakistan extend their deepest condolences and prayers at this solemn moment for the brotherly people of Iran and the wider Muslim Ummah. He noted that Ali Khamenei’s martyrdom had deeply saddened the Pakistani people, who stand in solidarity with Iran during this difficult period.

The prime minister emphasized that relations between Pakistan and Iran are “anchored in shared faith, history, culture and language,” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with Iran to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest for the benefit of both nations.

He concluded by praying for “the good health, well-being and success of the new Iranian supreme leader and for peace, stability and prosperity for the brotherly people of Iran.”

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, was appointed by Iran’s top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, to succeed his father. The announcement was made shortly after midnight on Monday.

The 56-year-old mid-ranking cleric survived the recent US-Israeli air strikes on Iran, which martyred his father, 86-year-old Ali Khamenei, last week. Ayatollah Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, a member of the Assembly, stated that the chosen successor was 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, highlighting opposition from the United States, with former President Donald Trump previously calling Mojtaba an “unacceptable” choice.

Other contenders for the position had included Alireza Arafi, Mohsen Araki, and Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Khomeini, who established the nation in 1979.