SANAA, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Monday welcomed the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, as Iran's new supreme leader, describing the move as a sign of unity and strength within the Islamic Republic.
In a statement broadcast by Al-Masirah TV, the group's Supreme Political Council congratulated the Iranian leadership and people on the appointment, saying it came at a "crucial and pivotal juncture."
The appointment reflects "Iran's strength and cohesion at the leadership, popular, state and institutional levels," said the statement.
The Houthis also called on the Islamic world and supporters of what they described as just causes to show greater solidarity with Iran.
Meanwhile, the internationally recognized Yemeni government warned the Houthis against engaging in any military adventurism in support of the Iranian agenda or attempting to use Yemeni territory as a platform to target neighboring countries or international interests.
Mojtaba Khamenei was selected as Iran's new supreme leader, Iran's Assembly of Experts announced on Sunday, confirming his election as the country's third supreme leader in what it described as a "decisive vote" of its members.
His selection followed the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, triggering Iranian missile and drone attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets across the Middle East. ■
