Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, calling the death, which came amid Israeli and US attacks, a “cynical violation” of norms.
Putin made the statement in a letter to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that the Kremlin released to the public after Khamenei’s death. Saturday’s daring daytime attacks eliminated Khamenei, along with several other top Iranian leaders, including the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
“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 an enormous personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and brought them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Putin continued.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“I ask you to convey my most sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran,” he added.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir-Saeid Iravani, condemned the joint US-Israeli attacks that rained down on his country on Saturday during a UN Security Council meeting.
Iravani accused the US of undermining its claims to pursue international stability while attacking a sovereign country for its “domestic” activities.
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Demonstrators gather in Basra, Iraq, on February 28, 2026, to protest US and Israeli attacks on Iran. (Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu via Getty Images)
‘Neither the charter, nor international law recognize a state’s internal affairs as a justification for the use of force by other states. The rule of law would be replaced by the rule of force,” Iranvani said.
“Iran will continue to exercise its right to self-defense resolutely and without hesitation until the aggression completely and unequivocally ceases.”
On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump ordered the implementation of Operation Epic Fury, citing Tehran’s ongoing efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.
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“It has always been the policy of the United States, and particularly of my administration, that this terrorist regime can never wage a power struggle nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in remarks on the attack on Saturday.
Trump said the attacks were intended to “defend the American people by removing imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and that they came after Iran refused to abandon development plans. nuclear capabilities.
Iranani called the attack a continuation of long-standing US aggression against Iran.
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“Mr. President, this morning the American regime, together and in coordination with the Israeli regime, initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the second time in recent months,” Irvani said, referring to the attacks the US carried out last year on its nuclear enrichment sites. “The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the Israeli regime have openly claimed responsibility for this act of aggression and have explicitly stated regime change as their goal, an unmistakable recognition of their intention to violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
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