Putin Condoles with Iran’s Pezeshkian Over Killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing the incident as a “cynical murder” that violates all standards of human morality and international law.

The private message was conveyed amid escalating tensions in the region, after Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s killing in a joint US-Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Iran has declared a 40-day period of national mourning and vowed strong retaliation against those responsible.

According to reports from TASS, Putin emphasized Russia’s longstanding alliance with Iran and condemned the attack as a breach of international norms. The condolences align with Moscow’s consistent support for Tehran, including military and diplomatic cooperation in recent years.

The development comes as the broader Middle East conflict intensifies, with ongoing exchanges of strikes and heightened global attention on potential further escalation.