NEW DELHI — The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi issued a fervent international appeal on Sunday, March 1, 2026, following the official confirmation of the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a strongly-worded statement, the mission urged “independent and freedom-seeking governments around the world” to break their silence and condemn what it described as a “blatant crime” and an “unforgivable act of aggression” by the United States and Israel.
The diplomatic mission expressed “profound sorrow and grief” over the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader, who was killed during a massive joint aerial operation by U.S. and Israeli forces on Saturday. As a mark of respect and national mourning, the Iranian Embassy in the Indian capital lowered its flag to half-mast. The embassy’s statement warned that the United States and the “Zionist regime” would have to endure “grave consequences” for the strikes, which reportedly targeted not only military sites but also civilian infrastructure and government leadership.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India calls upon governments to refrain from remaining silent in the face of lawlessness and aggression,” the mission posted on its official social media channels. The plea comes amidst a wave of geopolitical instability, with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) already vowing a “ferocious offensive” in retaliation. The embassy also advised its citizens in India and abroad to remain calm while asserting that the “courageous nation of Iran” would continue its path with “strength and resilience.”
The news of Khamenei’s death has triggered significant reactions across India, particularly in the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Protests erupted in several pockets, including Srinagar, Budgam, and Kargil, where demonstrators gathered to mourn the leader and condemn the military strikes. Security has been significantly tightened in these sensitive areas to prevent any escalation of unrest. While the representative of the Supreme Leader in India, Dr. Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, had initially refuted the reports of the leader’s demise on Saturday evening, the subsequent confirmation by Iranian state media has shifted the focus toward a 40-day period of national mourning and the uncertain future of the region’s leadership.
