Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in joint strikes by the United States and Israel.
In a message to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, published by the Kremlin, Putin described the assassination as a “cynical violation” of international law and basic morality. He praised Khamenei as an “outstanding statesman” who helped strengthen relations between Russia and Iran.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was outraged by the killing of Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials, and firmly rejected political assassinations and attacks on leaders of sovereign states. Moscow called for an immediate halt to hostilities and warned that continued strikes could push the region toward catastrophe.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, highlighting ongoing coordination between the two countries.
Russia and Iran had already strengthened their partnership last year by signing a strategic cooperation treaty covering political, economic, and military ties. The current crisis has brought that alliance into sharper focus as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise.
Source: TRT World
