Bangladesh has expressed deep concern and sorrow over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, describing the incident as a clear violation of international law. In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that the attack constituted a deliberate targeting and killing of a head of state, which breaches established international norms and conventions.
The statement came one day after reports confirmed Khamenei’s death following a joint aerial assault in Iran. The Ministry also extended its condolences to the people of Iran, acknowledging their grief and the gravity of the situation.
According to reports, the attack occurred on Saturday when Israeli and United States forces carried out coordinated airstrikes in Iran. On Sunday, Iranian authorities confirmed that several top defence officials, including Khamenei, were killed in the strike.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, without explicitly naming any country as responsible, stressed that conflicts and crises cannot be resolved through military action. Instead, dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law remain the only sustainable avenues for resolving disputes.
Following the airstrikes, Iran retaliated by targeting United States military installations across multiple countries in the Middle East, escalating regional tensions. In a previous statement, Bangladesh condemned these retaliatory attacks as violations of sovereignty across several nations, including Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The Ministry reiterated that escalating military confrontations in the region threaten global stability and security. It called for restraint from all parties, urging a return to diplomatic engagement and peaceful negotiation in accordance with international law.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event | Details | Bangladesh Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Airstrikes in Iran | Joint operation resulted in Khamenei and defence leaders killed | Condemnation as violation of international law |
| Sunday | Iranian Retaliation | Missile strikes on US military installations across the Middle East | Condemnation of sovereignty violations |
| Monday | Bangladesh Statement | Official release by Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Call for dialogue, respect, and law adherence |
Bangladesh continues to urge restraint, dialogue, and adherence to international law as essential steps to prevent further escalation in the Middle East and maintain regional and global peace.