Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has condemned the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US and Israeli strikes.
In a post shared on X, Gayoom stated, "As a sincere Muslim, I condemn the atrocious killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei".
He extended condolences to Khamenei's family and the people of Iran.
Gayoom is the only senior political figure to have spoken out against Khamenei's killing. Neither the government nor senior leaders have addressed the issue.
The Maldives also did not extend official condolences following Khamenei's death. Although the Maldives' flag was flown at half-mast over the death of previous Iran leaders, no such action has been taken this time.
Media pressed President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on the government's silence during Monday's briefing. He replied only in general terms, saying that the death of any muslim in war is a cause for sorrow.
The President asserted that Maldives shares the stand of muslim Arab countries. He declared that he condemns attacks from US, Israel and Iran.
He further said that he is communicating with Arab leaders to express Maldives' support during the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Following US and Israel strikes on Iran, Iran has been taking retaliatory action through missile attacks on US bases in neighbouring countries.
UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman have faced retaliatory strikes from Iran. Security concerns arising from the war has led to much of the airspace across the Middle East being shut down.
