The former Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadinejad has conveyed this Monday his congratulations to Mojtaba Khamenei for his recent designation as supreme leader of Iran, a few days after rumors circulated about his possible death following bombings by the United States and Israel, which on February 28 launched a surprise offensive against the Asian country.
According to several Iranian media outlets, in his message Ahmadinejad expresses his congratulations to Khamenei “for his election by the esteemed members of the Assembly of Experts to the position of leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He then adds: “I wish him success from God.”
The former president continues his missive invoking divine protection for the country: “I ask merciful God for unity, pride and greater prosperity for the great nation of Iran, as well as security, dignity and progress for our beloved homeland,” concludes the text, which appears signed with his name and the expression “servant of the Iranian nation.”
Disinformation
In the hours immediately following the start of the joint offensive by the United States and Israel, launched while Washington and Tehran were holding talks to try to close a new nuclear pact, various sources reported the alleged death of Ahmedinejad, information that was later denied by people from his closest circle.
Mojtaba Jamenei was proclaimed on Sunday successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, assassinated on February 28 at the beginning of the aforementioned offensive. In that same attack, his wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, also lost her life, and several direct relatives, including a daughter of the leader and one of his granddaughters.
So far, the joint military operation has caused more than 1,200 deaths in Iranian territory, according to figures released by the country's authorities. Among the victims, in addition to the supreme leader, are several ministers and high-ranking commanders of the Iranian Army. In response, Iranian forces have launched missiles and drones against targets in Israel and against US bases located in various countries in the Middle East.