Armenian PM Pashinyan pledges continued strong ties with Iran

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory letter to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, reaffirming the commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.

According to Armenian media reports cited by Caliber.Az, Pashinyan wrote: "I congratulate you on your election as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution. I am confident that the strong ties between Armenia and Iran will continue to develop and achieve new successes."

The Armenian leader also wished the people of Iran lasting peace and prosperity.

The congratulatory message from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan comes in the wake of a highly significant political development in Iran. On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts — the 88-member religious body responsible for appointing and overseeing the Supreme Leader — held a vote in Qom, attended by over two-thirds of its members, meeting the constitutional quorum.

According to state television and reports by Iran International, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, received nearly 85% of the votes of those present, despite some members being unaware of the meeting and unable to attend. This vote officially confirms Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader, a move that has raised concerns among some council members about perceptions of hereditary succession in the Islamic Republic.

The Assembly of Experts, whose members serve eight-year terms, wields significant influence over Iran’s leadership.