Moscow: Vladimir Putin hit out against the deadly joint strikes by Israel and US on Iran, saying that the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family was a “cynical” murder that violated all norms of human morality and international law.
In a letter to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, released by the Kremlin, Putin expressed condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran on Saturday.
“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Putin wrote.
“In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and bringing them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Putin stated.
“I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran,” Putin added.
Khamenei was killed on Saturday, aged 86, Iranian state media announced, in air strikes by Israel and the United States.
Ending hours of uncertainty after Israel and the US launched a major attack targeting Khamenei and other top leaders, Iranian state television and the state-run IRNA news agency announced the 86-year-old leader’s death early on Sunday morning.
It was no surprise that Russia stood with Iran in its hour of crisis. While Moscow’s relationship with Washington DC has been thorny because of the war with Ukraine, Iran remains one of Putin’s closest partners. Iran has supported Russia’s four-year war in Ukraine by supplying drones and missiles.
‘Declaration of war against Muslims’, says Iran President
Putin’s strong reaction came shortly after Iranian President Pezeshkian announced that the killing of Khamenei was a ‘declaration of war against Muslims’.
“The assassination of the highest political authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a prominent leader of Shiism worldwide… is perceived as an open declaration of war against Muslims, and particularly against Shiites, everywhere in the world,” Pezeshkian said in a statement carried by state TV.
Hamas mourned Khamenei’s death in what it described as a “heinous” US-Israeli attack.
“We in Hamas mourn the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause, and our resistance,” the Palestinian nationalist Islamist organisation said in a statement.
“The US and the fascist occupation government bear full responsibility for this blatant aggression and heinous crime against the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region.”
