Congress condemns Khamenei assassination and rejects external calls for Iran regime change

The Indian National Congress, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, condemned the targeted assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and opposed any external attempt at regime change. The party cited sovereignty, non-intervention, and a rules-based international order, while urging peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue and respect for international law.

The Congress said on Sunday that the reported targeted killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei must be condemned. The party said no outside country can force regime change in another state. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said such acts are imperialism. Kharge said they breach a rules-based international order.

Iran’s state media reported on Sunday that the 86-year-old Supreme Leader was killed in an air strike. The strike reportedly hit his compound in downtown Tehran. The report followed a major attack by Israel and the US early Saturday. The Congress had condemned those attacks on Saturday and flagged risks to Indians.

Congress on Iran killing: condemnation and regime change warning

Kharge said, "The Indian National Congress (INC) unequivocally condemns the targeted assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, in a military strike carried out without a formal declaration of war.\" Kharge added that the party rejects outside interference in another nation’s leadership. Kharge linked such actions to coercive unilateralism.

Kharge said, \"The Congress extends its deepest condolences to the Supreme Leader’s family, to the people of Iran, and the Shia community around the world in this moment of profound grief.\" Kharge also said, \"We stand in solidarity with them as they navigate this grave crisis.\" The statement framed the killing as a violation of sovereign equality.

Kharge said India’s foreign policy rests on peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue. Kharge referred to Article 51 of the Constitution of India and respect for international law. Kharge said sovereign equality, non-intervention, and peace reflect India’s civilisational values. Kharge said the West Asia conflict runs against these principles.

Kharge said the situation challenged \"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the world is one family\". Kharge also referred to Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of \"ahimsa non-violence\". Kharge cited Jawaharlal Nehru’s non-alignment policy. Kharge said these ideas shaped India’s approach to disputes and war.

Congress on Iran killing: UN Charter and sovereignty claims

Kharge said using force to unsettle a sovereign leadership was seen before in Venezuela. Kharge said it signalled a return of regime-change doctrines. Kharge cited the United Nations Charter, including Article 24 and Article 27. Kharge said a targeted killing of a sitting head of state struck at global rules.

Kharge said sovereignty could not be treated as conditional. Kharge said political legitimacy could not be produced through force. Kharge said, \"The INC reiterates that it is the inalienable right of every nation’s citizens to determine their own political future.\" Kharge said no external power could dictate leadership changes in another state.

Kharge said, \"No external power has the authority to engineer regime change or dictate the leadership of another state.\" Kharge added, \"Such actions amount to imperialism and are fundamentally incompatible with a genuinely rules-based international order.\" The statement said these actions violate norms that protect territorial integrity and political independence.

Congress on Iran killing: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s remarks and Modi swipe

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the reported killing. Priyanka Gandhi said, \"The targeted assassination of the leadership of a sovereign nation by the so-called leaders of the democratic world and the killing of multitudes of innocent people is despicable and deserves strong condemnation, no matter what the proclaimed reason for it is.\" Priyanka Gandhi called the wider conflict tragic.

Priyanka Gandhi said, \"The world needs peace, not more unnecessary wars.\" Priyanka Gandhi added, \"Those in charge of it would do well to remember Mahatma Gandhi’s words: An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.\" Priyanka Gandhi also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over diplomacy in the region.

Priyanka Gandhi said, \"I do hope that having genuflected before the prime minister of Israel and President Trump, our prime minister makes every effort to bring all Indian citizens in the affected countries back home to safety.\" The Congress has also said the government’s response to the war on Iran betrayed India’s values, principles, and interests.

The opposition party said India was paying a heavy price for the substance and style of Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy. It urged the government to work to end hostilities. The Congress also asked for steps to ensure the safety of Indians across the Middle East. The party said it remained concerned about escalating tensions.

The US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian public to seize control of their destiny. Trump urged people to rise against the Islamic leadership in place since 1979. The Congress said any approach should respect international law and protect civilians and sovereignty.

With inputs from PTI