The designation of Ayatollah Mojtaba Jamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, as new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran has triggered in the early hours of this Sunday a cascade of messages of support and celebrations from the main authorities and bodies of the country. Among them are the president, Masud Pezeshkian, the Army, the Judiciary and several of the names that were being considered in previous pools to succeed the previous leader.
Pezeshkian has described Mojtaba's arrival in office as “a new era of honor and authority for the Iranian nation” in a message broadcast by the Iranian channel Press TV, where he has expressed his aspiration that the country “reach a bright horizon of sustainable independence, scientific and technological progress, and comprehensive development,” advancing towards a future “in which progress, social justice, and global dignity will bear the fruits of this unity and prudence.”
At the same time, the president has referred to the current offensive by the United States and Israel, which he has described as “brutal and flagrant aggression,” shortly after highlighting “the determination of the selfless and brave Iranian armed forces.”
Despite this scenario, Pezeshkian has expressed his confidence that Tehran will manage to overcome the crisis under “the wise leadership” of Mojtaba and “fostering an environment based on trust, empathy, and the broad participation and resistance of the people”.
The institutional backing has been reinforced by the Army, which in a statement from the Public Relations Department, reported by the Iranian portal Sepah News, close to the Revolutionary Guard, has indicated that “The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as guardian of the independence, territorial integrity and system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, congratulates and commends the worthy election” of Mojtaba Jamenei.
In the same text, the Armed Forces have made “a promise” to the new supreme leader that “it will sacrifice itself until its last breath on the path of preserving the elevated and sublime ideals of the Islamic Revolution (...) and will be more powerful than ever in the sacred mission of protecting the independence, territorial integrity, and sacred system of the Islamic Republic,” while also emphasizing that “it will listen to the order of the supreme leader and commander-in-chief.”
The Army has also recalled the figure of the previous leader, Ali Khamenei, under whose mandate, it has stated, the Iranian system “became an incomparable symbol of the struggle against oppression and arrogance, a system that sought freedom and inspired the whole world”. “Islamic Iran managed to achieve its unique, dynamic, and growing position for the first time in its history, full of ups and downs”, it added.
In parallel, the entire Iranian diplomatic structure has expressed its adherence to the new leader. In a statement from the Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, the “loyalty” of all of them and his own to Mojtaba Jamenei has been proclaimed, committing to “not surrender for an instant to defend the rights of the great Iranian nation, promote national interests and security, and achieve the noble objectives of Iran's Islamic revolution.”
Other aspirants join the congratulations
The new leader has also received the support of other key figures of the regime, such as the president of the National Security Council, Ali Larijani, who was among the possible successors. In a brief message on social media, he has highlighted the political legacy of the deceased leader by stating that Mojtaba Khamenei “will be able to lead the country with the teachings he learned from his great father.”
Lariyani added that “Mojtaba Jamenei was raised in the school of leadership. If God wills, his existence will be a source of goodness and blessing,” and expressed his wish that, under his guidance, “Iran moves towards development.”
The head of the Judiciary, Gholamhosein Mohseni-Ejei, has also joined the messages of support, calling the designation of the son of the last supreme leader as “a source of joy and hope for the great Iranian nation”, in statements disseminated by the semi-official agency ISNA.
Nevertheless, Mohseni-Ejei has recalled the context of tension that the country is going through, warning that it is “in the midst of a campaign against a fierce enemy, immersed in endless miscalculations,” in allusion to the United States and Israel, and has invoked God to achieve “victory in this field.”
The first vice president, Mohamad Reza Aref, has also sent an extensive message, reported by the Iranian agency Tasnim, in which he has conveyed his condolences for the death of Ali Khamenei and has highlighted about Mojtaba Khamenei “an upright personality, endowed with moral qualities, composure, piety, sincerity, wise conduct, and a deep understanding of the foundations of the Islamic Revolution.”
Aref has expressed his conviction that “I trust that, following the example of the honorable and beloved imams of the revolution, and in light of the same school of wisdom, authority, and spirituality, your excellency will be able to open new paths for the advancement of Islam”.
In his message, the first vice president has also reflected on the future of the country's management, pointing out that “the country's progress, the preservation of national unity and the successful overcoming of the current critical circumstances depend on the obedience of all loyal and ever-present people, pillars of the system, officials and agents to the leadership of the Islamic system, and on the preservation of national empathy and solidarity”.
He concluded by emphasizing his personal commitment: “As a servant of the nation, by declaring loyalty to His Majesty, I emphasize my full support on this path and the need for cohesion, national unity and the obedience of all to the leadership to protect national interests, the honor of the country and the ideals of the Islamic revolution.”
Another of the names that were strongly rumored to lead the country's leadership, Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ruhollah Khomeini, has also sent a congratulatory message to Mojtaba Jamenei, disseminated by ISNA and accompanied by condolences for the death of his father and predecessor.
Khomeini has been especially explicit about the current juncture, marked by the attacks of the United States and Israel and Tehran's responses, by emphasizing that “what is important today is to protect our dear Iran and the Islamic Republic from the brutal aggression of the Zionist regime and criminal United States.”
These demonstrations of support come after the election of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as new supreme leader by the Assembly of Experts, which made its decision barely ten days after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who died last February 28 in the bombings by the United States and Israel.
In the preceding days, several Iranian ayatollahs and parliamentarians had demanded to accelerate the designation of the new supreme leader, while Israel assured this very Sunday that it would prevent the appointment and the president of the United States, Donald Trump, warned that the chosen one would not remain long in office without first having his approval.