TEHRAN / MOSCOW -- Iranians on Monday attended large gatherings across the country to pledge allegiance to the country's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
The nationwide ceremonies were held concurrently in different cities one day after Iran's Assembly of Experts announced the new supreme leader's appointment.
In the capital Tehran, people from different walks of life along with Iranian officials gathered in the iconic Enghelab Square, waving Iran's national flags and holding pictures of the new leader, and late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US and Israeli strike late last month.
They chanted slogans swearing allegiance to and reaffirming support for the new leader and condemning the US and Israeli "crimes" against Iran.
The participants vowed that they will never surrender to the "enemies", and stressed that the "enemies" have made miscalculations and will be defeated.
They also voiced unwavering support for the country's armed forces in their fight against the United States and Israel.
The United States and Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb 28, killing Ali Khamenei, along with some of the leader's family members, Iran's senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded through several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US assets across the Middle East.
The Assembly of Experts said in a Sunday statement that Mojtaba Khamenei secured the "decisive vote" of its representatives.
All legal procedures, formalities completed
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that all legal procedures and necessary formalities have been completed in the appointment of the country's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
He made the remarks at a weekly press conference in Tehran hours after Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed the leader.
Baghaei said Iran's supreme leader has been selected and announced, adding, following the announcement, "the duty is clear, we are defending ourselves."
He added, "The messages are also very clear. Those who must receive the message have received it. The Iranian nation will stand with all its might, united and with one voice, to defend the dignity, national sovereignty, and security of its citizens in this battle, which is an existential one."
Announcing the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, who is the son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Assembly of Experts said in a statement that he secured the "decisive vote" of its representatives.
Following the new leader's appointment, Iranian officials, bodies, state organizations and institutes, as well as armed forces, extended congratulations and pledged allegiance to him.
The United States and Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb 28, killing Ali Khamenei, along with some of the leader's family members, Iran's senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded through several waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US assets across the Middle East.
Putin congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly elected supreme leader of Iran, on Monday, stating that Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"At a time when Iran is facing armed aggression, your work in this high office will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication. I am confident that you will honorably continue your father's cause and unite the Iranian people in the face of severe trials," Putin was quoted as saying by the Kremlin's official website.
"For our part, we would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends. Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner of Iran," said Putin.
Iran's Assembly of Experts announced on Sunday that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, had been elected as Iran's new supreme leader.
