{"id":178681,"date":"2026-03-09T20:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T17:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178681\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"lukasenka-congratulates-irans-new-supreme-leader-on-appointment","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/178681\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0141uka\u0161enka congratulates Iran\u2019s new supreme leader on appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

March 9, Pozirk<\/em>.<\/strong> Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka has congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei, a hardliner close to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, on his appointment as new supreme leader and successor to his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war with the US and Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belarusian ruler expressed confidence that under his leadership \u201cIran will continue its journey along the path toward defending independence, ensuring stable growth, preserving spiritual heritage and enhancing its role on the international arena.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mojtaba Khamenei was selected by the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body, on March 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 56-year-old cleric largely kept a low profile during his father’s rule, but there were longstanding rumors about his influence as a gatekeeper to the late supreme leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours before the appointment was announced, Trump said that, without his approval, whoever took over was “not going to last long”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel also issued a warning before, saying it would “continue to pursue every successor”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hostilities in the region continue since February 28, after the United States and Israel hit Iran, killing Khamenei and other top officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tehran retaliated by launching missile and drone strikes at Israel and Gulf states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US Operation Epic Fury against Iran aims to destroy the Iranian missile industry, defeat the fleet, prevent nuclear weapons development and ensure freedom for the Iranian people, according to US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka denounced the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as a \u201ctreacherous attack.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"