Putin mourns Khamenei as Iran’s allies condemn strike

Putin praised the Iranian leader’s legacy, saying Khamenei “will be remembered in Russia as a figure who advanced relations between our countries.”

By World Israel News Staff

International reactions continued to emerge following the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with Russia, Hezbollah, and North Korea strongly condemning the joint U.S.–Israel military operation while stopping short of announcing direct intervention.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences over Khamenei’s death, calling the strike “a deliberate crime that violates all standards of human morality and international law.”

Putin praised the Iranian leader’s legacy, saying Khamenei “will be remembered in Russia as a figure who advanced relations between our countries.” Despite the sharp criticism, Moscow did not announce any concrete military or logistical assistance to Iran.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem issued a lengthy statement pledging continued resistance aligned with the ideological path established by Iran’s revolutionary leadership.

Qassem declared that Hezbollah and what he described as the “Islamic resistance” would continue “with determination, stability, and a spirit of liberation that knows neither fatigue nor surrender.”

He added that Hezbollah would remain “at the forefront of fighters for the liberation of land and humanity,” vowing to oppose what he called “American tyranny and Zionist crimes,” and asserting confidence in eventual victory despite potential sacrifices.

North Korea also condemned the strikes, accusing both the United States and Israel of violating international law. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry described the attacks as “illegal aggression” and a breach of national sovereignty.

The statement further characterized the U.S. military operation as predictable, calling it an inevitable outcome of what Pyongyang described as the “colonial and gangster-like nature” of American policy.

The statements add to a growing list of international reactions following the strike, as governments and regional groups continue to respond to the rapidly evolving situation across the Middle East.