Putin sent a telegram of condolences to the Iranian President over the death of Khamenei and called him an “outstanding statesman.”

Putin expressed condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in connection with the assassination of the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a telegram published on the Kremlin website on March 1. The Russian leader called the incident “a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law” and promised to convey words of sympathy to Khamenei’s family and friends, as well as the government and people of Iran. In his telegram, Putin described Khamenei as an “outstanding statesman” who made a personal contribution to the development of Russian-Iranian relations and their rise to the level of a “comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Khamenei served as Iran's supreme leader for 36 years and was the main symbol of the Islamic regime, being the second person to hold this position. He was killed during a joint US-Israeli military operation that began on February 28. Israeli fighter jets carried out an airstrike on his residence in Tehran, dropping about 30 bombs on it. Along with the supreme leader, his daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandson died. Iranian authorities initially denied Khamenei's death, but later confirmed his death - state television reported that the ayatollah was killed in his office on the morning of February 28. In addition to Khamenei, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Army Abdolrahim Mousavi, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC commander Mohammed Pakpour and a number of other high-ranking officials were killed during the operation.

Israel called Operation Roar of the Lion. US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei's death publicly, calling it "justice" for the people of Iran and the world. In response to the strikes, Iran attacked Israel and American military bases in the region.

Iran has declared 40 days of mourning and seven non-working days. Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has become Iran's interim Supreme Leader. He will hold office until the election of a new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.