Zardari also expresses grief, sorrow over the martyrdom of Khamenei and condoles the government and people of Iran
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday offered his condolences to the Iranian people over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling the attack a grave violation of international law.
“It is an ancient convention that the heads of state and government should not be targets,” the prime minister said while expressing concern over the violation of international law norms.
The Government and people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and express the most sincere condolences on the martyrdom of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali
Khamenei.Pakistan also expresses concern over violation of norms of…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) 1 March 2026
A day earlier, the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran that pushed the Middle East into renewed military confrontation when its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was assassinated in the attack. In response, Iran attacked Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.
In a message issued on X today, the prime minister said: “The government and people of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and express our sincere condolences on the martyrdom of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”
“We pray for the departed soul. May Allah Almighty give patience and strength to the Iranian people to bear this irreparable loss,” the prime minister added.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders and conveyed 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 mourning and shares their loss. He noted that the passing of a leader of such stature, along with other dignitaries who were martyred alongside him, will be deeply felt throughout the Muslim world.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei and senior Iranian leaders and conveyed heartfelt condolences and prayers for patience and strength to the government and people of Iran during this period of mourning.
— President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) 1 March 2026
“President Zardari prayed for the departed souls and asked Almighty Allah to grant patience and strength to the people of Iran in 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 attacks on Tehran on Sunday, saying it aimed to dominate the skies after killing Iran’s supreme leader and leaving the Islamic republic struggling to rebuild its biggest test in five years.
Read also: At least 10 killed in clashes in Karachi during march on US consulate after Khamenei attack
Khamenei, who built Iran into a powerful anti-US force and spread his influence across the Middle East during his 36-year rule, was working in his office at the time of Saturday’s attack, state media said. The raid also bypassed his daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.
Inside Iran, some mourned Khamenei, while others celebrated his death, revealing a deep fault line in a country stunned by the sudden passing of the man who ruled for decades.
Thousands of Iranians were killed in a crackdown authorized by Khamenei on anti-government protests in January, the deadliest wave of unrest since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
