Shehbaz Condemns Killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

Islamabad/Tehran: (Web Desk) –  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned the targeting of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, terming the action a clear violation of international law and long-established global norms.

The Iranian government earlier confirmed that Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred in coordinated US-Israeli air strikes that began on February 28. In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was an age-old international convention that heads of state or government must not be targeted under any circumstances.

Expressing deep condolences, the prime minister described Khamenei’s martyrdom as an irreparable loss for Iran. He said the government and people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with the Iranian nation in its moment of grief, praying for patience and strength for the bereaved people.

US troops killed as Iran retaliates after Khamenei death

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of the Iranian supreme leader and other senior Iranian officials, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.

In Iran, authorities announced 40 days of public mourning, along with seven days of official holidays, following confirmation of Khamenei’s martyrdom, as reported by state media and Fars News Agency.

State television reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with two senior officials, will oversee the country during the transitional period. Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei will also be part of the interim leadership arrangement, according to Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to the late supreme leader.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, as global leaders react to the unprecedented escalation following the killing of Iran’s top leader.