Pakistan Voices Concern Over Khamenei Assassination

(MENAFN) Pakistan on Sunday raised alarm over what it described as a breach of international law following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli airstrikes, as several other nations across the region added their voices to a growing chorus of condemnation.

"The government and the people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend the most sincere condolences on the martyrdom of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement.

Without directly naming Washington or Tel Aviv, Sharif's statement — posted on X — went further: "Pakistan also expresses concern over violation of the norms of international law. It is an age-old convention that the Heads of State/Government should not be targeted."

Khamenei, 86, was killed during US-Israeli bombardment of the Iranian capital on Saturday. Tehran confirmed his death early Sunday, declaring 40 days of national mourning. US President Donald Trump had pre-empted the official announcement, posting on his platform Truth Social that Khamenei was dead before Tehran made any formal statement.

Also on Sunday, Sharif held separate calls with Jordan's King Abdullah II and Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to address the rapidly deteriorating regional situation. On the call with King Abdullah, Sharif said the two leaders "emphasized the urgent need for restraint, dialogue, and de-escalation to preserve peace and stability." With King Hamad, he similarly "emphasized restraint, respect for international law, and the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region."

In a further sign of the crisis's gravity, Sharif cancelled a planned visit to Russia, citing the escalating instability across the Middle East.

Bangladesh echoed those concerns Sunday, with its Foreign Ministry issuing a statement describing itself as "deeply concerned" over the safety of Bangladeshi nationals residing in Iran. Dhaka expressed hope that "peace, security, and stability will be restored" throughout the region, while also condemning what it called violations of the sovereignty of Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Afghanistan, too, weighed in, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi voicing "deep regret regarding the attacks against Iran by Israel and the United States, and its subsequent expansion involving Gulf countries being targeted by Iran."

Balkhi urged an immediate halt to military action, condemning violations of national sovereignty and territorial integrity and the killing of civilians in both Iran and the broader Gulf region.

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