Russian President Vladimir Putin condemns the killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a cynical violation of morality and international law.

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel as a cynical violation of morality and international law.

In a letter to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian published by the Kremlin, Putin expressed his deepest condolences for the assassination.

He stated that the killing was carried out in a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.

Putin praised Khamenei as an outstanding statesman who made an enormous personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations.

The Russian leader asked Pezeshkian to convey his most sincere sympathy and support to the relatives and loved ones of the Supreme Leader, to the government and to the entire people of Iran.

Russia had earlier condemned the strikes on Iran on Saturday as a dangerous adventure that could spark catastrophe in the region.

Moscow’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov also spoke by phone with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi at the initiative of the Iranian side.

Tehran has been one of Russia’s closest allies throughout Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine, with the two nations signing a strategic partnership treaty in 2025 aimed at strengthening ties including in military matters.

 The Sun Malaysia