02 March,2026 02:40 PM IST | Moscow | mid-day online correspondent
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian. File Pic/AFP
Russia has expressed "outrage and deep sorrow" over the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with members of his family and senior Iranian officials, in missile strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in an official statement, stated that it condemns the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a violation of international law and a breach of the principles of civilised interstate relations.
"Retaliation strikes at the US military bases in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, along with the activation of anti-aircraft defence systems, have caused damage to the international airports," the statement said.
Russia noted that ongoing military operations have led to rising civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. Retaliatory strikes on US military bases in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, along with the activation of anti-aircraft systems, have reportedly caused damage to international airports in Dubai and Kuwait City, seaports, high-rises, and hotels across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Russia urged all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions, cease hostilities, and resume political and diplomatic negotiations. The country stressed that any resolution should respect the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while taking into account the legitimate interests of all states in the Persian Gulf.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued the statement hours after President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian over the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condolences," according to the Kremlin.
The Foreign Ministry also warned that closure of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt hydrocarbon exports and create major imbalances in global oil and gas markets.
On Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone calls with several counterparts from Gulf states, including Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE.
Lavrov also spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two ministers highlighted the unity of Moscow and Beijing's positions during an emergency UN Security Council meeting held on Saturday at the initiative of Russia and China.
