Zardari also expresses grief, sorrow over Khamenei’s martyrdom and offers condolences to Iran’s government and people
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday extended condolences to the people of Iran over the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling the attack a grave violation of international law.
“It is an age-old convention that the heads of state and government should not be targeted,” said the prime minister, while expressing concern over the violation of international law norms.
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.Pakistan also expresses concern over violation of the norms of…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 1, 2026
A day earlier, the US and Israel jointly launched strikes on Iran that pushed the Middle East into renewed military confrontation as its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assassinated in strikes. In response, Iran targeted Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
In a message posted on X today, the prime minister said, “The Government and the people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend our most sincere condolences on the martyrdom of his Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”
“We pray for the departed soul. May Allah Almighty grant patience and strength to the Iranian people to bear this irreparable loss,” the prime minister added.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders, conveying heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In a statement, Zardari said Pakistan stands with the Iranian nation in this period of grief and shares in their loss. He noted that the passing of a leader of such stature, along with other senior figures who were martyred alongside him, will be deeply felt across the Muslim world.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei and senior Iranian leaders, conveying heartfelt condolences and prayers for patience and strength to the Government and people of Iran during this period of grief.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) March 1, 2026
“President Zardari prayed for the departed souls and asked Almighty Allah to grant patience and fortitude to the people of Iran during this difficult time,” the statement added.
The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has opened a new chapter of escalation and instability in the Middle East, with Israel launching a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Sunday, saying it aimed to dominate the skies after killing Iran’s supreme leader and leaving the Islamic Republic grappling to rebuild its leadership amid its biggest test in five decades.
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Khamenei, who built Iran into a powerful anti-US force and spread its sway across the Middle East during his 36-year iron-fisted rule, was working in his office at the time of Saturday’s attack, state media said. The raid also assisinated his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
Inside Iran, some grieved for Khamenei while others celebrated his death, exposing a deep fault line in a country stunned by the sudden demise of the man who ruled for decades.
Thousands of Iranians were killed during a crackdown authorised by Khamenei against anti-government protests in January, the deadliest wave of unrest since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.






