World leaders reacted strongly on Sunday to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli airstrike, with several politicians calling it a blatant act of aggression. After confirming Khamenei’s assassination, Pakistan’s president and prime minister issued separate statements expressing regret over the "martyrdom" as well as solidarity with the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran. President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Iran and stated that Pakistan stood by the Iranian nation in this time of grief and shared its loss. "The passing of such a leader, along with other important figures, will be deeply felt throughout the Muslim world." he pointed out. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over this violation of the norms of international law, adding that it is an ancient convention that heads of state and government should not be targeted. In a note to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian published by the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the assassination of the Iranian supreme leader and members of his family was a "cynical" murder that violated all norms of human morality and international law.
"In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made an enormous personal contribution to the development of friendly relations between Russia and Iran and their elevation to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership." Putin said. China also strongly opposed and strongly condemned the attack and assassination of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and urged an immediate cessation of military operations, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
"The attack and assassination of Iran’s supreme leader is a serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. It tramples on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it," the spokesperson said. The Indonesian Muslim Ulema Clinical Council expressed its deepest condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a result of the Israeli-American attack on February 28.
"The United States, which is playing a central role in managing the Palestinian conflict through the Peace Board, faces an important question: is this strategy really aimed at a just peace, or is it actually strengthening an unequal security architecture and burying Palestinian independence? The MUI therefore urges the Indonesian government to revoke its membership in the BoP."
North Korea condemned the attack by the United States and Israel on Iran as a "illegal act of aggression"stating that he had shown the "rogue" nature. The military campaigns against Iran by the two states constitute "an illegal act of aggression and the most despicable form of violation of sovereignty in its nature from A to Z"a spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.
"The DPRK condemns in the strongest tone the brazen and rogue act of the US and Israel," the official said, using the initials of the North’s official name. Pyongyang said the United States and Israel decided "abuse military power to realize their selfish and hegemonic ambition". The 27 countries of the European Union asked "maximum moderation" and “full respect for international law in the Iran conflict and throughout the Middle East,” said European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
"We call for maximum restraint, protection of civilians and full respect for international law, including the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and international humanitarian law." said a statement issued by Kallas on behalf of all EU member countries. However, European Commissioner Ursula Von Der Leyen reacted to the news by stating that after Khamenei’s assassination there was renewed hope for the people of Iran.
"We must ensure that the future is yours to claim and shape. At the same time, this moment carries a real risk of instability that could push the region into a spiral of violence."
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that at the moment Iran is in a transition phase and it remains to be seen how long it will last and what impact the war will have.
"What is certain is that a leader who had guided Iran for decades is gone, and that will surely have consequences, including the loss of Khamenei’s personal authority over the population."
French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said the Iranian leader was allegedly "responsible for the death of thousands of civilians in his country and in the region, so we can only celebrate his disappearance. "It is now up to the Iranian people to choose their own destiny."
