ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on taking over the duties of Supreme Leader of the Iran, expressing optimism that his leadership would steer the country toward peace, stability, dignity, and prosperity in the coming years.
In a letter addressed to Mojtaba Khamenei, the prime minister also conveyed condolences to Iran’s leadership and citizens over the martyrdom of Ali Khamenei, the father of the new supreme leader, as well as other members of the family.
Prime Minister Shehbaz extended the heartfelt sympathies and prayers of the people of Pakistan at this difficult time to the people of Iran and the wider Muslim Ummah.
He said that the martyrdom of Ali Khamenei had deeply saddened the Pakistani nation, adding that Pakistan stands firmly with Iran’s leadership and its people during this challenging period.
The premier expressed hope that Mojtaba Khamenei’s leadership would help guide Iran toward lasting peace, stability, dignity, and economic progress.
He further highlighted that ties between Pakistan and Iran are rooted in shared faith, history, cultural connections, and linguistic bonds.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to continue close cooperation with Iran in order to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest for the benefit of both nations.
Shehbaz Sharif also prayed for the health, success, and well-being of the new Iranian supreme leader, along with peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Iran.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as the new head of the country.
Iran’s top clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, announced his selection as supreme leader in a statement released shortly after midnight on Monday in Iran.
The 56-year-old cleric survived the recent US-Israel air conflict involving Iran. His father, Ali Khamenei, aged 86, was martyred in an airstrike carried out by the United States and Israel last week.
A member of the council, Mohsen Heidari Alekasir, stated in a video message on Sunday that the candidate had been chosen in line with Ali Khamenei’s view that Iran’s supreme leader should be someone “disliked by the enemy.”
He also remarked that even the “Great Satan,” referring to the United States, had mentioned the selected individual. This came days after Donald Trump described Mojtaba Khamenei as an “unacceptable” choice.
Other figures reportedly considered for the role included Alireza Arafi, a member of the three-person interim council managing the country, Mohsen Araki, and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ruhollah Khomeini, who founded the Islamic Republic during the Iranian Revolution.
