Putin expresses his condolences

How does the friendship between AI, Putin, and Larijani affect Russia-Iran cooperation?

According to CCTV News, on the 18th local time, Russian President Putin expressed condolences to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei over the death of Iran’s top national security official, Larijani.

In his letter, Putin stated that Larijani was a true friend of Russia, a wise and visionary politician whom he had met multiple times.

Iran’s national broadcasting company released Putin’s letter on the same day.

Putin (photo). Source: CCTV News

On the 17th, the Israel Defense Forces announced that they carried out an airstrike near Tehran, Iran’s capital, the night before, targeting and killing Larijani. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed Larijani’s death in a statement early on the 18th.

Larijani has been regarded for years as one of the most senior members of Iran’s leadership and was a close associate of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

On the evening of the 18th, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued a statement mourning the death of Larijani, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and his son.

In the statement, Khamenei praised Larijani as a political, military, and cultural veteran with nearly fifty years of experience—an “erudite, visionary, and loyal” figure in the political arena.

Khamenei emphasized that such terrorist acts only “strengthen the will of the Islamic nation,” and vowed that “blood debts will be avenged soon.”

Khamenei also expressed condolences for the death of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.