WANA (Mar 01) – Seyed Mohammad Khatami has strongly condemned the assassination of Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, describing it as “a grave crime and a deeply painful tragedy for Iran’s present and future,” and urging national unity in the face of mounting challenges.

 

In a public statement, the former Iranian president called on all political and social groups—despite their differing viewpoints—to reflect on the country’s complex circumstances and the “frightening future” he said adversaries seek to impose on Iran. He emphasized that safeguarding national interests and territorial integrity must take precedence at this critical juncture.

 

Khatami stressed that the Iranian nation would not return to the “dark and bitter era” it left behind through the revolution and would not allow Iran’s territorial integrity or national unity to be undermined.

 

He characterised the assassination of the Supreme Leader as a manifestation of global hegemonic tendencies and a sign of hostility toward Iran’s independence, freedom, dignity, and self-reliance.

 

In the concluding part of his message, Khatami underscored that Iran’s path remains one of freedom, independence, democracy, and honourable, just progress—acknowledging that advancing along this path requires wisdom, tolerance, and collective solidarity during this sensitive period.