Following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by American and Israeli air strikes early on Feb. 28, there has been a series of statements from around the world in response.
Russian President Putin: Putin sent a letter to Iranian President Pezeshkian to express his “deepest condolences.” The act was committed “in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Putin wrote, noting that Khamenei will be remembered in Russia “as an outstanding statesman who made an enormous personal contribution to the development of friendly ties between Russia and Iran.”
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Russia has received the news with “outrage and deep sorrow. The Russian Federation strongly and consistently condemns the practice of political assassination and manhunt for leaders of sovereign states that goes against the fundamental principles of civilised interstate relations and constitutes a grave violation of international law…. We call for immediate de-escalation, cessation of hostilities, resumption of political and diplomatic processes, to settle any existing problems on the basis of the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The legitimate interests of all the states in the Persian Gulf must be taken into account.”
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. We urge for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan: “I extend my condolences to the esteemed Khamenei, praying that the Almighty Allah grants him mercy, and offer my sympathies to the brotherly people of Iran.” He said that Turkey would “continue our efforts to ensure that all our friends and brothers in the region regain the peace and stability they deserve, that the conflict raging in our region comes to an end, and that we return to diplomacy.”
Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi: “I want to be very clear—the door to diplomacy remains open. Talks in Geneva made genuine progress towards an unprecedented agreement between Iran and the United States and although the hope was to avoid war, war should not mean that the hope of peace is extinguished. I still believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner talks are resumed the better it is for everyone.”
