Khamenei’s assassination and regime change in Iran would be unacceptable, Russia warns

The Kremlin has issued a strong warning against any potential assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or efforts to instigate regime change in Tehran, calling such actions “unacceptable” and dangerous.

In an interview with Sky News published Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that any move by Israel, possibly with U.S. backing, to eliminate Iran’s top leader would be met with firm disapproval from Moscow.

“Very negatively, we would strongly disapprove it,” Peskov said when asked how Russia would react to such an event. “It will lead to an action coming from inside Iran. It would lead to the birth of extremist moods in Iran, and those who are speaking about [killing Khamenei] should keep it in mind.”

Peskov added that talk of toppling the Iranian government is not only “unimaginable” but should be condemned outright. “Even talking about regime change should be unacceptable for everyone,” he stressed.

His remarks mark one of the Kremlin’s most forceful statements yet on the rising tensions between Israel and Iran—Russia’s close ally in the Middle East.

Russia and Iran share longstanding diplomatic and military ties, a partnership that has deepened in recent years, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.