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On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly criticized the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, describing the event, which resulted from strikes by Israel and the U.S., as a “cynical violation” of established norms.
In a letter addressed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, which the Kremlin subsequently released, Putin expressed his dismay following Khamenei’s death. The strikes, carried out in broad daylight on Saturday, also claimed the lives of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including the leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Putin wrote, “Please accept my heartfelt condolences regarding the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and his family members, which was carried out in blatant disregard of all standards of human decency and international law.”
He added, “In Russia, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as a remarkable statesman who significantly contributed to strengthening Russian-Iranian relations, elevating them to a comprehensive strategic partnership.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (Image: Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran,” he added.
Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir-Saeid Iravani condemned the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that rained down on his country throughout Saturday during a U.N. Security Council meeting.
Iravani accused the U.S. of undermining its claims of pursuing international stability while attacking a sovereign country for its “domestic” activities.
Demonstrators gather in Basra, Iraq, on Feb. 28, 2026, to protest U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. (Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Neither the charter nor international law recognize internal matters of a state as justification for the use of force by other states. The rule of law would be replaced by the rule of force,” Iravani said.
“Iran will continue to exercise its right of self-defense decisively and without hesitation until the aggression ceases in full and unequivocal terms.”
On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump ordered the execution of Operation Epic Fury, citing Tehran’s continued efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.
“It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said in remarks about the attack Saturday.
Trump said the strikes were meant to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and that they had come after Iran had refused to abandon plans to develop nuclear capabilities.
This map shows the targets of Iran’s retaliatory strikes. (Fox News)
Iravani called the attack a continuation of longstanding U.S. aggression against Iran.
“Mr. president, this morning the United States regime, jointly and in coordination with the Israeli regime, initiated an unprovoked and premeditated aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran for the second time in recent months,” Irvani said, referring to strikes the U.S. carried out against its nuclear enrichment sites last year. “The president of the United States and the prime minister of the Israeli regime have openly claimed responsibility for this act of aggression and have explicitly articulated regime change as their objective, an unmistakable admission of their intent to violate Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
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