Russia Backs Iran's New Supreme Leader Amid Tensions with US and Israel

Russian President Putin on Monday announced his support for Iran's new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. His son, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has since died in a US-Israeli attack on February 28. The United States and Israel do not recognize Mojtaba's election. However, Russia's support for Mojtaba Khamenei means Israel will become a bigger headache for the United States. Israel has threatened to release any Iranian Supreme Leader alive. Putin issued a message to Iran's new Supreme Leader in which he said, "Russia has been and will be a faithful ally of Iran." He added, "Your tenure in this highest office will undoubtedly require courage and perseverance at a time when Iran is facing an armed attack." He did not endorse the election of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.