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From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 9, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 9, 2026
Putin congratulates new supreme leader, offers solidarity to ‘our Iranian friends’
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In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videolink in Moscow on December 26, 2025. (Mikhail METZEL / POOL / AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran’s new leader, the Kremlin says.
Putin says he is confident Khamenei will continue his father’s work “with honor” and unite the Iranian people “in the face of severe trials.”
He adds that Russia will continue to stand by Tehran, saying he wished to “confirm unwavering support for Tehran and solidarity with our Iranian friends.”
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