Leaders of four Central Asian states have sent condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian following the death of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei.
The first to respond was Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. His telegram to Pezeshkian was published on March 1 by the Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe and posted the following day on the Tajik president’s website.
The message noted the “worthy contribution of the late Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to the development of comprehensive and constructive Tajik-Iranian relations, as well as to strengthening cooperation between the two nations—bearers of an ancient civilization.”
“In these tragic days, expressing the grief and sympathy of the people of Tajikistan to the brotherly people of Iran, I pray to the Almighty to grant eternal mercy to all the deceased who have found divine peace, and patience to their families and loved ones in the face of this heavy sorrow,” Rahmon’s telegram said.
On March 2, the Iranian Embassy in Tashkent reported that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had also sent condolences.
The message expressed sympathy “in connection with the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.”
“Over many years of fruitful activity, he made a significant contribution to strengthening Iranian statehood, ensuring social stability, and preserving national values,” the letter stated.
The message has not yet been published on the official website of Uzbekistan’s president.
In Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement of condolence.
“We extend our deep condolences to the people of Iran in connection with the deaths of civilians, including children, as well as representatives of the highest leadership of the Islamic Republic as a result of recent tragic events,” the statement said.
At the same time, the Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Iranian strikes on civilian facilities in Arab states not participating in the war against Iran, with which Kazakhstan maintains friendly and comprehensive relations. The ministry called for resolving all conflicts exclusively through political and diplomatic means and preventing further escalation of violence in the region.
Turkmenistan was represented by National Leader and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who conveyed deep condolences over Khamenei’s death and wished that “the soul of the deceased reside in paradise.”
The reaction of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has not been publicly reported.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) also expressed support for the government and people of Iran.
In a statement, the SCO member states declared the use of force unacceptable and called for resolving existing contradictions exclusively through peaceful means based on dialogue, mutual respect, and consideration of the legitimate interests of all parties in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter. The organization emphasized the need to ensure Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity and urged all sides to exercise restraint.
SCO members include Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
ℹ️ On February 28, Israel and the United States carried out strikes on Iran’s capital. In response, Tehran launched missiles at U.S. bases in the Middle East and at Israel. Hundreds of people were reported killed, including senior leaders of the Islamic Republic headed by Ayatollah Khamenei.
Amid the escalation, governments of various countries have begun evacuating their citizens from the region.
