BD condemns Ali Khamenei's killing, offers profound condolences

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Friday expressed profound condolences over the tragic demise of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and condemned his killing, report agencies.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad conveyed Bangladesh's position during a meeting with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on Friday, where he is leading the Bangladesh delegation attending the state funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said Hafiz expressed profound condolences over the 'tragic demise" of Ayatollah Khamenei and condemned his 'brutal killing'.

"He conveyed the solidarity of the Government and the people of Bangladesh with the Government and the brotherly people of Iran during this period of national mourning," the statement said.

Khamenei was killed at his residence on Feb 28 as US-Israeli joint strikes began.

Iran retaliated by launching attacks on several Arab countries in West Asia hosting US military bases, describing them as 'legitimate targets'.

Dhaka's response at the time drew criticism.

In its first statement after the attacks, the foreign ministry condemned violations of the sovereignty of Western countries but did not mention Iran by name or refer to the killing of Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders.

Amid the criticism, the government issued another statement on March 2 saying it was 'deeply saddened' by Khamenei's death, but again stopped short of condemning the killing.

It described the attack as a violation of international law and reiterated that disputes should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international law.

During the controversy, Iran Ambassador to Bangladesh Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said Tehran was not seeking 'war supplies' from Dhaka, only support 'as the victim of aggression'.

Friday's statement also said Speaker Hafiz highlighted the centuries-old friendship, deep cultural ties and people-to-people relations between Bangladesh and Iran.

He praised Ghalibaf's role in facilitating the recent Iran-US memorandum of understanding and expressed hope it would bring lasting peace, stability and prosperity to Iran and the wider West Asia region.

He also reaffirmed Bangladesh's support for the ongoing peace process and invited Ghalibaf to visit Bangladesh.

Iran has announced a six-day state funeral event.

Khamenei's body was placed at Tehran's Imam Khomeini Mosalla on Friday ahead of funeral prayers on Saturday.

Political representatives from Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish also paid tribute before Khamenei's coffin, while delegations from Russia, China and several other countries arrived in Tehran for the mourning ceremonies.

The main funeral procession will be held in Tehran on Monday before Khamenei's body is taken to Qom, then Iraq, and finally buried on Thursday at the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.