New Delhi: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been assassinated in joint US-Israel strikes on Iran. India said on Saturday that it is “deeply concerned” about the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. However, India did not categorically condemn the attacks. The opposition urged the BJP-led Hindutva government to condemn the strikes strongly and clear its stance, citing Iran is one of India’s oldest and most trusted allies. They also questioned Prime Minister Modi’s recent state visit to Israel, which took place just before the attack on Iran.
Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh reacted to the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He said it was the end of an era. “For those whose ancestors hail from India, Ayatollah Khomeini becoming Iran’s Supreme Leader, his passing marks the end of an era. India has lost a trusted friend. Humble tribute to Khomeini ji. Iran is India’s traditional ally. It has always voted against Pakistan and stood by India. It has provided India with energy security.” Singh said in a post X.
“In this hour of crisis, the Indian government should clarify its stance, otherwise the global dictator America’s tyranny will spread all over the world,”He added.
Meanwhile, Iran is now observing 40 days of public mourning after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as per Iranian state media. The death occurred during strikes by the US and Israel under Operation Epic Fury/Lion’s Roar on Saturday. The Supreme Leader’s office has announced national mourning. Flags are at half-mast, and public events are planned to honor him. This marks the end of a 37-year chapter in Iran’s Islamic Republic history.
Ayatollah Khamenei took over as successor to the revolution’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini. Since 1989, he stood firmly against Western influence.
Iranian state media confirm that the targeted airstrikes killed key figures including Ali Shamkhani, who served as secretary of Iran’s Defense Council and had long been a close adviser to the Supreme Leader on security and nuclear issues; Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s current Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics and a former air force commander; Mohammad Shirazi, who headed the Supreme Leader’s military bureau; Hossein Jabal Amelian, director of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research; Reza Mozaffari-Nia, the former head of SPND, the organization associated with Iran’s nuclear program; and Saleh Asadi, a senior intelligence officer within the regime.
These assassinations have severely damaged Iran’s command structure, with Iranian authorities describing the deceased as martyrs and vowing strong retaliation. The Israeli-US strikes across Iran have killed 201 people and injured 747, according to Iranian state TV.
“The targeted assassination of the leadership of a sovereign nation by the so-called leaders of the democratic world and the killing of multitudes of innocent people is despicable and deserves strong condemnation, no matter what the proclaimed reason for it is,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said.
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Saturday evening: “We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians.”
“Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected,” statement added.
CPI(ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya criticised the government’s stand on the US-Israel strikes on Iran. “Who are ‘all sides’? How many sides are there? Why is the Modi government afraid of naming Israel and the US?” he said in a post on X.
“When the government is aware of the explosive situation in the region, why did Modi agree to send 50,000 Indian workers to Israel? Stop the US-Israel war on Iran,” Bhattacharya added.
D Raja, General Secretary of Communist Party of India, said in a post on X: “The Communist Party of India strongly condemns the unilateral military attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran. These acts constitute a grave violation of international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.
The CPI firmly believes that these attacks are part of a dangerous strategy aimed at imposing regime change in Iran through military force, in complete disregard of the sovereignty of nations and the right of peoples to determine their own political future,” he added.
Opposition questions Modi’s Israel visit just before the Iran attack
Two days after Mr. Modi celebrated his visit to Israel, Israel and the US started their joint assault on Iran. This was expected due to the military build-up in recent months. Yet Modi chose to go to Israel, where he showed the highest moral cowardice, said Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP and Media in-charge.
He criticised Modi’s statement that India stood with Israel. “This Israel visit was shameful and it is even more so in light of the war that has been launched by two of Modi’s good friends,” he added.
“The attack on Iran comes immediately after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Israel. The Government of India should unequivocally condemn the attacks on its friendly country Iran,” CPI said in an official statement.
Left parties urge India to lead efforts for ceasefire and de-escalation in Iran
The Communist Party of India demands an immediate and unconditional halt to the ongoing military aggression against Iran by the United States and Israel. It calls upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to urgently intervene to stop further escalation and protect regional peace. The continuation of these attacks will only increase instability, suffering, and destruction across West Asia.
India must insist on an immediate end to the attacks on Iran. We call upon all peace-loving people of India and the world to stand with Iran and the Iranian people against this US-Israel military aggression, CPI (ML) said.
The US and Israel carried out these attacks while ignoring ongoing negotiations with Iran. It shows that the US talks of diplomacy were just a facade. “The US and Israel carried out these attacks ignoring the ongoing negotiations with Iran. It is amply clear from the attacks and the statements of US President Donald Trump that they never believed in these negotiations. The US is acting as a belligerent bully, attacking sovereign countries at will. The attack on Iran follows its recent attack on Venezuela and threats issued to Cuba,” CPI(M) said in an official statement.
Asaduddin Owaisi, MP and Chief of All India Majlis-e-Itehadul Muslimeen, said in a press conference that Israel used the Prime Minister’s visit to attack Iran and hide the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. This will send the message that India is with Israel, not with Iran. “What is India gaining from this attack?”
The Prime Minister should tell the country whether Netanyahu informed him that Israel was going to attack Iran. If he had, then the Prime Minister should have ended his visit and returned home immediately. If Israel did not inform us about the attack with the US, then Israel has deceived us, he added.
Concern for Indian nationals
The opposition raised concerns about the safety of Indian nationals in the region.
The rapidly escalating hostilities between US-Israel and Iran are deeply concerning. The safety and security of every Indian citizen across the Middle East must be our highest priority, said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
“I urge the Government of India to take immediate and proactive measures to safeguard our people.” He added.
Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said peace and stability in the region are very important and must be protected. The Indian National Congress is deeply concerned about the worsening situation in the Middle East after the recent military escalation against Iran, Kharge added.
We are equally concerned about the safety and security of Indians in Iran and across the Middle East. We urge the Government of India to take all possible steps to ensure their protection and well-being.
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