North Korea Backs Mojtaba Khamenei As Iran’s New Supreme Leader, Slams US-Israel Strikes

Last Updated:March 11, 2026, 06:58 IST

North Korea congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on becoming Iran’s new Supreme Leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's death in US-Israeli strikes.

North Korea has become the latest country to congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, following the death of his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

In a statement reported by state news agency KCNA, North Korea’s foreign ministry said it supported the Iranian people’s choice of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new leader.

The ministry also strongly criticised the United States and Israel, denouncing what it described as “illegal" attacks on Iran that were destroying peace and increasing instability around the world.

Mojtaba Khamenei was named Supreme Leader on Monday by Iran’s clerical leadership after the death of his father in the initial wave of strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. Earlier, Pakistan, Russia and Oman also congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei after his appointment.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei, expressed condolences over the death of his father and hoped that the new Iranian leader would guide the country towards peace and stability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also extended support, pledging “unwavering support" to Mojtaba Khamenei and describing Russia as a reliable partner for Iran.

China said the leadership transition was an internal matter for Iran and was based on the country’s constitution, while Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq also sent congratulations.

Leaders from Iraq and Azerbaijan also welcomed the appointment, expressing hope that relations with Iran would continue to strengthen.

The appointment has, however, drawn criticism from the United States. US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy" with the choice and demanded a say in Iran’s leadership, calling Mojtaba “unacceptable" and suggesting that the new leader “won’t last long" without his approval.

Who Is Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba had long been viewed as a possible successor to his father. His rise comes as Iran faces an ongoing conflict in West Asia following the strikes that killed the late leader.

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei was born in 1969 in the Iranian city of Mashhad. He spent his early years during the period when his father was emerging as a leading cleric opposing the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution transformed Iran’s political system and strengthened the Khamenei family’s place within the new Islamic Republic.

Mojtaba later received his religious education under conservative scholars in the seminaries of Qom, the main centre of Shia theological learning in Iran.

During his youth, Mojtaba served in the Iran-Iraq War. The experience helped him build strong ties with Iran’s powerful security establishment, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

(With inputs from agencies)

News world North Korea Backs Mojtaba Khamenei As Iran’s New Supreme Leader, Slams US-Israel Strikes

Read More