Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran, calling the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader a “cynical murder”, the state news agency reported. TASS. In his initial public comments following the joint military operations and subsequent regional retaliation, Putin condemned the nature of the attack. Reflections on the partnership between Moscow and Tehranhe noted that Khamenei would be honored in Russia as a “prominent statesman”.
He said the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei violated “all norms of human morality and international law” as stated in TASS.
Putin’s statements come amid heightened friction in West Asia following synchronized missile strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iran. The explosions rocked Tehran and several major centers, with Iranian state media reporting that the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei he was killed. Reports further indicated that Khamenei’s daughter, grandson and other close family members were killed in the attacks. However, the Israeli news site noted that definitive confirmation regarding Khamenei’s fate is still pending.
Amidst these differing accounts, global media broadcast scenes of the public response in Iran. CNN documented celebrations in multiple cities where cheering, whistling and chants of “Death to the Islamic Republic” and “Long live the Shah” were heard. Fox News aired footage of Iranians celebrating Khamenei’s death in the streets of Besat Town in the suburbs of Karaj. Iranian activist Masih Alinejad shared another clip with the caption: “Video of Iranian people celebrating in Iran, am I dreaming? Hello new world.”
Formerly, President of the United States Donald Trump confirmed Khamenei’s death and described it as a moment of justice for the Iranian people. Meanwhile, Iranian state media announced that the country was entering 40 days of official mourning. In Shia Islam, the 40th day, Arba’een, has deep spiritual weight. The deaths followed Saturday’s US-Israeli strikes codenamed Operation Epic Fury and Lion’s Roar.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Khamenei, one of the most evil men in history, is dead. This is not just justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans and those people from many countries around the world who were killed or maimed by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS… But the heavy and precision bombing will continue as long as necessary to achieve our goal of PEACE as long as our goal of PEACE continues. FULL ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND ACTUALLY WORLDWIDE.”
The supreme leader’s office began a period of national mourning with flags flown at half-mast and public ceremonies held to honor his memory, ending a 37-year era. After succeeding Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, Khamenei’s rule was defined by a firm stance against Western influence. Authorities have now tightened security in major cities such as Tehran to maintain order as attention turns to choosing a successor and the future of Iran’s leadership.
