Iran’s Embassy in Dushanbe on the evening of March 1 published on its Telegram channel a message of condolence from Tajik President Emomali Rahmon following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In the message addressed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, the Tajik leader said he received the news of Khamenei’s death and that of several Iranian government officials “with deep sorrow.”
“I extend my condolences to Your Excellency and the noble people of Iran on this great loss. I wish to emphasize the enduring role of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in the development of comprehensive and constructive relations between Tajikistan and Iran and in strengthening cooperation between our two ancient nations. In these days of mourning, I express the solidarity of the people of Tajikistan with the friendly and brotherly nation of Iran,” the letter states.
According to the embassy’s statement, Rahmon also highlighted Khamenei’s contribution to strengthening Tajik-Iranian ties and added: “In these sorrowful days, expressing the solidarity of the people of Tajikistan with the friendly and brotherly country of Iran, I pray to the Almighty for the repose of the souls of all those who perished and wish their families patience and resilience in this terrible tragedy.”
At the time of publication, the press service of the President of Tajikistan had not released the condolence message on its official website.
Earlier on March 1, Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing “deep concern over the unprecedented escalation of the situation in the Middle East.”
“Tajikistan proceeds from the understanding that all disputes and disagreements must be resolved exclusively through negotiations within the framework of international law and the provisions of the UN Charter. The Republic of Tajikistan once again emphasizes the need for effective and urgent measures aimed at preventing further escalation and averting a tragic development of the situation,” the statement said.
Iranian state media reported the death of Ali Khamenei on the morning of March 1 — a day after Israel and the United States carried out a missile strike on his residence in Tehran. According to Iranian sources, his daughter, son-in-law, and other relatives were also killed in the attack.
In addition, several senior military officials were reportedly killed, including Ali Shamkhani, the ayatollah’s security adviser; Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh; and Chief of the General Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi.
