MOSCOW: Vladimir Putin has condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel, calling it “a blatant violation of all norms of human morality and international law.” On Sunday, Putin sent a message of condolence to Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing sympathy over Khamenei’s death. In his message, Putin said, “In Russia, Ayatollah Khamenei will always be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a significant contribution to strengthening friendly relations between Russia and Iran.” Khamenei was killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes on his residence in Tehran on Saturday. The Iranian government officially confirmed his death on Sunday morning. Iranian media reported that he had been attending a meeting with senior defense officials and was targeted in his office. Several family members and high-ranking Iranian officials, including the defense minister, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the chief of the armed forces’ general staff, and the secretary of Iran’s defense council were also reported killed in the attack.
