“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Putin said in an official note issued to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian released by the Kremlin.

In his message, Putin said Khamenei would be remembered in Russia as an outstanding statesman who made a major personal contribution to strengthening friendly ties between Moscow and Tehran.

“In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and bringing them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” the Russian President said.

“I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran,” he added.

Israel and the United States carried out a “precise, large-scale operation” across Iran early Saturday, hitting what the Israeli military described as “dozens of military targets” in a sweeping joint operation.

The action was framed as a wide, synchronised offensive against the Iranian regime, aimed at progressively removing what Israel considered existential threats to its national security.

After the initial strikes, Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel as well as US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Air traffic across the Middle East was thrown into disarray as air defence systems boomed over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates’ commercial hub, with explosions continuing into Sunday morning.