PM Shehbaz terms Khamenei’s martyrdom ‘violation of international law’

• PM condoles with Iran over Khamenei’s martyrdom.
• Premier wishes strength to Iranians to bear “irreparable loss”.
• Pakistan join Iranians in their hour of grief: PM Shehbaz.
  

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday denounced the targeting of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by the United States and Israel, saying such actions were a “violation of the norms of international law”.

The Iranian government, early on Sunday, confirmed that Khamenei had been martyred in joint Israeli and US air strikes that began on February 28.

In a post on X, PM Shehbaz said that it was an age-old convention that the heads of state or government should not be targeted.

The premier expressed condolences to Iran over the martyrdom of Khamenei, calling it a grave loss for the nation.

“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,” he said.

“We pray for the departed soul. May Allah Almighty grant patience and strength to the Iranian people to bear this irreparable loss,” the premier added.

Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of the Iranian supreme leader and senior Iranian leadership, according to a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat.

In Iran, the government declared 40 days of public mourning after confirming the martyrdom of Khamenei, state media reported.

The announcement also includes seven days of official public holidays, the Fars news agency said.

Following Khamenei’s martyrdom, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and two top other officials will lead Iran in the transitional period, reported state television.

Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and another official from the country’s legal council will be part of the trio overseeing the transition, according to state television which cited Mohammad Mokhber, one of Khamenei’s advisers.