TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed gratitude to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for offering condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid a rapidly escalating military confrontation involving the United States and Israel.
According to a statement released by Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Lavrov conveyed Moscow’s sympathies during a phone conversation with Araghchi, acknowledging what Iranian officials described as the “martyrdom” of the country’s highest authority and several senior military commanders killed in recent attacks.
The Russian foreign minister expressed condolences over what Iran described as the “martyrdom” of the supreme leader and several senior military commanders, the ministry said.
Araghchi thanked Lavrov for the message of sympathy and used the call to brief the Russian side on the unfolding humanitarian and military consequences of the ongoing strikes carried out by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory.
Iranian officials say the attacks targeted a range of locations across the country, including residential areas and civilian infrastructure. Authorities reported that mosques, hospitals, schools, and aid centers were among the sites hit during the strikes, which began several days ago and have caused widespread destruction and civilian casualties.
The conversation between Araghchi and Lavrov took place on Tuesday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. It marked the fourth consecutive day of a joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that has significantly intensified tensions across the Middle East.
The sudden escalation has triggered fears of a broader regional conflict, with multiple countries closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation. Diplomatic channels between Tehran and Moscow appear to be playing a key role as Iran seeks international backing while responding to the attacks.
Iranian authorities said that during the phone call Araghchi provided Lavrov with details regarding the scale of the damage caused by the strikes and the humanitarian consequences for civilians living in affected areas.
Officials in Tehran accused Washington and Tel Aviv of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure. Iranian state media reported that several residential districts in Tehran and other cities suffered damage, while emergency services continued rescue operations in multiple locations.
Neither Washington nor Israeli officials have publicly confirmed specific targets inside Iran, but both countries have previously stated that their operations are aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and strategic infrastructure.
The strikes, which began on February 28, reportedly hit multiple sites inside Iran, including locations in the capital, Tehran. Reports from local authorities indicated that explosions were heard in several areas of the city as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming missiles and drones.
Iranian officials later confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed during the attacks, a development first reported during the recent strikes on Tehran that dramatically escalated the regional confrontation.
Khamenei, who had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for more than three decades, was the country’s highest authority, overseeing major decisions on foreign policy, national security, and military strategy. His leadership shaped Iran’s regional posture and its relations with global powers, particularly the United States, Israel, and Russia.
International reporting also indicated that the Iranian leader was killed during the attacks that launched one of the most significant military escalations in the Middle East in years.
The Iranian government described his death as an act of aggression carried out by foreign adversaries and vowed that the attacks would not go unanswered.
In the hours following confirmation of the strikes, Iranian military forces launched retaliatory operations targeting Israeli territory and US military installations across the Middle East.
According to Iranian military statements, missile and drone attacks were carried out against several bases hosting US troops in the region as well as strategic sites linked to Israeli defense infrastructure. The retaliation echoed earlier warnings that Iran could escalate its response after the Iranian retaliation targeting US military assets across the region.
Regional defense officials said air defense systems were activated in several countries following the launches, highlighting the scale of the confrontation and the potential for a wider conflict.
Military analysts say the escalation represents one of the most dangerous confrontations in the Middle East in years, involving direct attacks between major regional powers and the United States. Analysts have warned that the situation could spiral into a broader war amid the escalating Middle East conflict that followed the initial bombardment.
Russia has closely monitored developments and has called for restraint from all parties involved. While Moscow has not formally taken sides in the conflict, it has maintained strong diplomatic and strategic ties with Tehran.
The phone call between Lavrov and Araghchi underscores the ongoing diplomatic coordination between Russia and Iran as tensions continue to rise.
In previous statements, Russian officials have warned that further escalation could destabilize the broader region and threaten international security.
The Kremlin has repeatedly urged all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions and avoid actions that could lead to a full-scale regional war.
At the same time, Moscow has emphasized the importance of respecting state sovereignty and avoiding attacks that could endanger civilian populations.
The death of Khamenei has triggered a period of uncertainty within Iran’s political system, where the Supreme Leader holds ultimate authority over the country’s key institutions, including the armed forces and judiciary.
Iranian authorities have not yet announced full details regarding the succession process following his death, but officials said constitutional procedures will guide the selection of a new supreme leader. Earlier reporting also described how the leadership transition unfolded following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, which sparked protests and geopolitical shockwaves worldwide.
Senior political figures, religious authorities, and members of the Assembly of Experts are expected to play a decisive role in determining the country’s next leadership.
The situation has also prompted heightened security measures across Iran, with government institutions and military facilities placed on high alert.
Meanwhile, global leaders have expressed concern that the ongoing confrontation could expand beyond Iran and Israel, potentially drawing additional countries into the conflict.
Energy markets, international shipping routes, and regional security dynamics could all be affected if hostilities continue to intensify.
Several diplomatic observers say the crisis represents a turning point for the Middle East, with long-term consequences for alliances, security arrangements, and geopolitical balances.
As rescue operations continue in areas affected by the strikes, Iranian officials have warned that further retaliation may follow if attacks on Iranian territory persist.
For now, diplomatic communication between major international players, including Iran and Russia, remains one of the few channels through which tensions may be managed while the situation continues to unfold.
