Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has given his support to Iraq's new prime minster-designate, Haidar al-Abadi.
During a meeting on August 13, Khamenei said: "I hope the designation of the new prime minister in Iraq will untie the knot and lead to the establishment of a new government and teach a good lesson to those who aim for sedition in Iraq."
Tehran swiftly backed Baghdad's decision to nominate Abadi to replace Nuri al-Maliki as prime minister.
Maliki, a Shi'ite, had enjoyed the support of Shi'ite Iran, but officials said recently that Tehran believed Maliki was no longer able to hold the country together.
Maliki, Iraq's premier since 2006, has been accused of fueling sectarian violence as Iraq is battling an Islamist insurgency, but he has refused calls to step down.