Qatar, Saudi Arabia condemn Iranian attacks on Oman as ‘unacceptable escalation’
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Qatar and Saudi Arabia on Sunday condemned Iranian attacks on Oman’s Duqm commercial port and an oil tanker off the country’s coast as “a violation” of Omani sovereignty and “an unacceptable escalation,” Anadolu reports.
In a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry expressed its “strong condemnation of the Iranian attacks that targeted Duqm commercial port in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman and an oil tanker off its coast,” describing the attacks as “a violation of the Sultanate’s sovereignty, an unacceptable escalation, and a cowardly targeting of a country playing an active mediation role.”
The ministry said Oman has been engaged in efforts to mediate between Iran and the international community “to defuse tensions and promote constructive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues.”
Qatar affirmed its “full solidarity” with Oman in all measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability, the statement added.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also denounced Iran’s “blatant violation” of Oman’s sovereignty, reiterating the kingdom’s “full solidarity” with Muscat.
READ: Gulf countries condemn ‘Iranian’ attacks on UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan
A ministry statement said that the kingdom “is putting all its capabilities” at Oman’s disposal, and warned of the consequences of Iran’s “continued violation of the sovereignty of states, which undermines the security and stability of the region.”
Riyadh called on the international community “to take firm positions and measures against Iranian violations.”
Oman’s Maritime Security Center said early Sunday that four people were injured in an attack on a Palau-flagged oil tanker north of Khasab Port. A foreign worker was also injured after two drones hit Duqm commercial port on Oman’s eastern coast.
Oman has repeatedly served as a mediator in indirect nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran.
The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, with Tehran staging retaliatory missile and drone strikes.
Iran on Sunday confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials in Israeli and US attacks on the country.
READ: Gulf bloc set to hold emergency meeting on Sunday amid US-Iran conflict
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At least 10 killed as protesters storm US Consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi over Khamenei killing
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At least 10 people were killed and 40 others injured in clashes between police and charged protesters who managed to enter the US Consulate in Pakistan’s commercial capital Karachi on Sunday to protest the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel attack, Anadolu reports.
Dr. Sabir Memon, head of the Trauma Center at Civil Hospital, told Anadolu that bodies of nine protesters with gunshot wounds were brought to the facility, while another one died during treatment.
Another 31 injured, he added, were being treated, whereas at least eight were shifted to a private hospital by their families.
Two police constables were among the wounded, according to police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed.
Police fired teargas and resorted to aerial firing as hundreds of protesters marched toward the US mission in the city’s southern district.
READ: Iranian state TV says Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attacks
Dozens managed to enter the consulate premises, smashed windows, and set fire to a portion of the reception, multiple videos shared on social media platforms showed.
Angry crowds also torched a police check post outside the consulate and burned tires.
Protests even broke out in several other cities, including Lahore, where demonstrators clashed with police on their way to the US Consulate.
Protesters also set a UN office on fire in Skurdu district of northern Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Shabbir Mir, a spokesman for the regional government, told Anadolu that the region is on “high alert” as protest demonstrations are underway in several districts.
In the capital Islamabad, police blocked all roads leading to the Diplomatic Enclave that houses foreign embassies, including the US.
The US Embassy in Islamabad urged its citizens in Pakistan to “observe good personal security practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP registration is up to date.”
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the government shares the grief of protesters, urging them to remain peaceful.
The government of Sindh province, for which Karachi serves as the capital, has formed a committee to investigate the clashes and killings of protesters.
Expressing sorrow and grief over the casualties, the government urged the protesters to lodge their protest “peacefully.”
READ: Gulf bloc set to hold emergency meeting on Sunday amid US-Iran conflict
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Putin offers condolences to Iran’s president over assassination of supreme leader
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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday offered condolences to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, Anadolu reports.
“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the assassination of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family,” said a message published on the Kremlin website.
It said the assassination was committed in “cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law.”
Putin added that in Russia, Khamenei will be “remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and brought them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.”
READ: Russia condemns ‘unprovoked armed attack’ on Iran by US, Israel
“I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the Government and the entire people of Iran,” he said.
Iran’s armed forces said on Sunday that Khamenei was assassinated along with several senior military officials in US-Israeli attacks on the country that began a day earlier.
The statement added that those killed in the strikes included Chief of the General Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, and Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Aziz Nasirzadeh.
READ: Iranian state TV says Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attacks
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