Khamenei killing a ‘cynical violation’ of human morality, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday (March 1, 2026) condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a “cynical violation” of human morality and international law.

Ali Khamenei died in an attack by Israel and the United States, according to the Iranian state media.

“Please accept my deepest condolences in connection with the assassination of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and his family members, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Mr. Putin said in a message to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian news agency TASS reported.

“I ask you to convey my sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government, and all the people of Iran,” he added.

Roughly a week before the attack, Iran had inked an arms deal with Russia to buy thousands of shoulder-fired missiles, the Financial Times had reported. According to the deal, worth $589 ​million and signed in Moscow, Russia has to hand over 500 launch units and 2,500 missiles in the next three years, the report had said, citing leaked documents.

Last year, after the June strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the 12-day war, Mr. Putin had reportedly told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the Israeli aggression was “groundless”.

In January 2025, Mr. Putin and Mr. Pezeshkian had signed a cooperation pact to strengthen the Russia-Iran partnership amid crippling Western sanctions. Back then, the countries had said that the “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” would cover all areas – from trade to military cooperation.

Mr. Putin had hailed the deal as a “real breakthrough, creating conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia, Iran and the entire region.”