The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel lamented the "assassination" of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in what he described as an "abhorrent act" but was careful not to mention the U.S.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people, the government, and President Dr. Massoud Pezeshkian for the assassination of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, including his family,” wrote on X.
"The execrable act represents a ruthless violation of all norms of International Law and human dignity. In Cuba, he will be remembered as a prominent statesman and leader of his people, who contributed to the development of friendly relations between Cuba and Iran," he added.
On Saturday, the Iranian Government officially confirmed the death of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, following the attacks from Israel and the United States.
Iranian state media, including HispanTV, reported that Jamenei was "martyred in the Zionist-American aggression," referring to the bombings targeting Iranian regime objectives amid the current military escalation.
After the announcement, authorities declared 40 days of public mourning and seven days of suspended activities across the country, a measure that halts state institutions and official events.
The message spread through channels linked to the Iranian government described the death as a "martyrdom" and directly blamed Israel and the United States for the passing of the country's top religious and political leader.
Earlier, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, had suggested that Jamenei might have died in the attacks during the night and early morning.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced attacks against 27 U.S. military bases in the Middle East and targets in Israel, including Tel Aviv. The offensive aims to avenge the death of the supreme leader.
Explosions have been reported in Doha, Kuwait, and Dubai, while the Qatari Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted up to 18 ballistic missiles aimed at its territory.
The president of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated: “We will retaliate against the Americans and Israelis.” He warned that they will deliver blows “so terrible that they will beg for mercy.”
Trump, threatened this Sunday to strike Iran with “unprecedented force” if Tehran follows through on its promise to launch a “historic offensive” against the U.S. and Israel, in retaliation for the death of the ayatollah.
So far, 3 American soldiers have died following the retaliatory attacks, while 200 Iranians have been killed, according to the Red Crescent, in the bombings that continue this Sunday and also resulted in the deaths of 7 other senior officials of the Islamic Republic.
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