Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned the targeting of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, calling it a violation of international law.
The Iranian government confirmed early Sunday that Ayatollah Khamenei was martyred in the air strikes that began on February 28. The development has sharply escalated tensions in the region.
In a statement posted on X, the prime minister said that it is an established international convention that heads of state or government should not be targeted under any circumstances. He described the incident as deeply troubling and against global norms.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed heartfelt condolences to the Iranian government and people, calling the martyrdom of Khamenei a grave loss for Iran.
“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,” he said.
He added that Pakistan stands with Iran during this difficult time and prayed for patience and strength for the Iranian people.
Separately, Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of Iran’s supreme leader and other senior Iranian officials, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.
In Iran, authorities have declared 40 days of public mourning following the confirmation of Khamenei’s martyrdom. According to state media and the Fars news agency, seven days of official public holidays have also been announced.
Following the development, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will lead the country during the transitional period along with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and another senior official from the legal council. State television reported that the trio will oversee governance during this critical phase.
