Iranian officials said Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in a Saturday morning attack on February 28, attributed to Israel and the US. The incident also claimed the lives of senior military commanders, government officials and civilians, including women and children.

Iranian foreign minister mourns senior commanders

In a separate statement, Iran’s foreign minister confirmed the deaths of several top commanders, including Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; Mohammad Pakpour, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Ali Shamkhani, senior adviser to the commander-in-chief and secretary of the Defense Council; and Aziz Nasirzadeh, defense minister.

Quoting the Qur’anic verse, “Do not consider those killed in the way of God as dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, provided for,” the minister described their deaths as martyrdom and offered condolences to their families and the Iranian people.

Regional Reactions

Yemen’s Supreme Political Council said Khamenei’s death would “increase the strength and resolve of the Iranian nation” and reinforce the path of resistance.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah called him “one of the most prominent martyred leaders of the Islamic nation in modern history,” accusing “Israeli and American terrorists” of carrying out the assassination following airstrikes on Tehran. The group pledged to continue what it described as the path of resistance.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of “Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” offering condolences on behalf of Turkey and its people and calling for regional stability and a return to diplomacy.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government and people of Pakistan share in Iran’s grief and expressed concern over violations of international norms, stating that heads of state should not be targeted.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the killing “without qualification,” warning that targeting a country’s leader sets a dangerous precedent and urging restraint, an immediate ceasefire and a return to serious dialogue.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon described the assassination as a “great loss” and highlighted Khamenei’s role in strengthening bilateral relations.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said Khamenei played an important role in Iran’s political and religious life and called his death “a major loss for Iran.”

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani expressed solidarity with Iran and stressed the importance of preserving regional security and resolving disputes peacefully.

Global condemnations

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said Khamenei would be remembered in Russia as an “outstanding statesman” who elevated Moscow–Tehran ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, adding that the assassination violated “all norms of human morality and international law.”

China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the killing as a “serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security” and called for an immediate halt to military actions to prevent further escalation.

Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel described the assassination as a “flagrant and immoral violation of international law and human values,” saying Khamenei would be remembered for strengthening friendly ties between Cuba and Iran.

Iraq’s Supreme Islamic Council called the death “an irreparable loss for Islam,” while other Iraqi religious authorities echoed similar sentiments.

Reactions inside Iran

President Masoud Pezeshkian called the killing “the greatest trial facing the Islamic world today,” describing it as an open declaration of war against Muslims, particularly Shiites. He said Iran considers retaliation against those responsible a “duty and legitimate right.”

Former presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mohammad Khatami both condemned the attack as a grave crime, though Khatami also urged national unity, prudence and perseverance amid what he called a dangerous and complex moment.

Iran’s Guardian Council said the revolution’s path “will not stop for a moment” and pledged that, in accordance with the Constitution, a new leader would be selected by the Assembly of Experts.

The Government Information Council said the country stands united in mourning its “symbol of national unity,” while senior clerics, including Ayatollah Hossein Vahid Khorasani, Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Modarresi and Ayatollah Mousa Shobeiri Zanjani, issued messages framing the death as martyrdom and calling for patience, unity and steadfastness.

A Leadership of 37–38 Year

Officials repeatedly referenced Khamenei’s more than 37 years of leadership — some citing 38 years — during which they said he guided Iran through turbulent regional and international challenges. Several statements described his death during the holy month of Ramadan as the fulfillment of a long-held wish for martyrdom.

Across the statements, leaders and organizations characterized the assassination as a violation of international law and warned of wider instability, while pledging that Iran’s political and ideological course would continue.