Pakistan has congratulated Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on becoming Iran’s new Supreme Leader, a move that highlights Islamabad’s increasingly delicate diplomatic balancing act as tensions escalate across West Asia.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28. His appointment has triggered mixed reactions internationally, with some countries welcoming the succession while the United States and Israel have openly opposed it.
Pakistan’s response reflects the tightrope its leadership now faces as it attempts to maintain ties with Iran while also trying not to alienate Washington.
Pakistan’s message to Iran’s new leader
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei and expressed condolences over the death of the former Iranian leader.
“I congratulate His Eminence Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his assumption of the responsibilities of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I also reiterate deepest condolences and prayers on behalf of the people of Pakistan on the martyrdom of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other family members. I am confident that the new Supreme Leader would guide Iran towards peace, stability and prosperity, in the years ahead,” Sharif said in a post on X.
I congratulate His Eminence Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his assumption of the responsibilities of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I also reiterate deepest condolences and prayers on behalf of the people of Pakistan on the martyrdom of his father, Ayatollah Ali…— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 10, 2026
The message places Pakistan among the countries that have formally welcomed Mojtaba’s succession.
However, Islamabad’s gesture comes at a time when its leadership is also attempting to maintain working relations with the United States, which has taken a sharply critical stance toward the new Iranian leader.
Russia, China and regional countries back Mojtaba
Several countries quickly moved to welcome Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged strong support to Iran’s new leadership.
“At a time when Iran is confronting armed aggression, your tenure in this high position will undoubtedly require great courage and dedication,” Putin said. He added that “Russia has been and will remain a reliable partner” to Iran.
China also signalled acceptance of the transition. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei was “based on its constitution” and opposed attempts to target him.
In the Gulf, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq also congratulated the new Iranian leader.
Other regional leaders echoed similar sentiments. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomed Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment and said, “We express our confidence in the ability of the new leadership in the Islamic Republic of Iran to manage this critical stage.”
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev also sent a congratulatory message expressing hope that relations between the two countries would deepen “in a spirit of mutual respect and trust.”
Trump rejects Iran’s leadership choice
While several countries have accepted the transition, the United States has taken a sharply different position.
President Donald Trump has openly criticised Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment and demanded a role in determining Iran’s future leadership.
Trump described the choice as unacceptable and warned that the new Iranian leader would struggle to remain in power without Washington’s approval.
Speaking earlier, Trump said the new Iranian leader “won’t last long” without his backing.
Israel has also strongly opposed the transition. The Israeli foreign ministry described Mojtaba Khamenei as a “tyrant” similar to his father and accused Iran’s leadership of continuing what it called the regime’s brutality.
Israel’s military has also warned that it could target any successor to the late Ali Khamenei.
Pakistan’s diplomatic balancing act
Pakistan’s congratulatory message highlights the increasingly complicated position the country finds itself in.
On one hand, Islamabad shares a long border and strategic ties with Iran, making it difficult to openly oppose Tehran’s leadership decisions.
On the other hand, Pakistan remains heavily dependent on international financial support and diplomatic engagement with the United States, particularly at a time when its economy remains fragile and reliant on external assistance.
This leaves Pakistan attempting to navigate between competing pressures.
Pakistan’s balancing act is further complicated by growing unrest at home. The government is struggling to contain widespread pro-Iran protests that erupted after the killing of Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli strikes. Demonstrations across several Pakistani cities quickly turned violent, with protesters attempting to storm American diplomatic facilities and clashing with security forces. At least 24 people were killed in the protests, including several outside the US consulate in Karachi, forcing authorities to impose curfews and deploy additional security forces to restore order.
Congratulating Iran’s new Supreme Leader may help maintain relations with Tehran, but it also risks creating friction with Washington, which has openly challenged the legitimacy of the new leadership.
As tensions continue across the region, Islamabad’s attempt to maintain relations with both sides illustrates the complicated and often contradictory diplomacy that has long defined Pakistan’s foreign policy.
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