Khamenei killing breaches int’l law
Diplomatic Correspondent :
- ‘Three gulf
leaders
assure govt
of safety for
expatriates’
Bangladesh has expressed deep sorrow over the reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, describing the killing as a violation of international law and established global norms.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government was saddened by reports that Iran’s Supreme Leader had been killed in a targeted attack.
The ministry termed the incident a breach of international law and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the people of Iran during what it described as a time of profound grief.
The statement followed reports that Khamenei was killed in aerial strikes allegedly carried out jointly by Israel and the United States.
Iranian authorities confirmed on Sunday that the Supreme Leader, along with several senior defence officials, had died in the attack.
Meanwhile, Speaking to journalists at the Foreign Ministry after an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur explained that the government’s stance is straightforward – ensuring the safety and well-being of Bangladeshis residing in the Middle East.
He reiterated that Bangladesh does not view war or conflict as a viable solution and called for a swift resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
“Our position is clear: the primary interest is the protection of our citizens in the region.
We firmly believe that war or conflict cannot provide a solution. We advocate for a peaceful resolution of this crisis through negotiations and diplomacy,” Dr. Rahman said.
The Foreign Minister added that the Ministry’s statements, including the one issued on March 1, reflected a commitment to safeguarding the interests of Bangladeshi expatriates.
He further emphasised that, regardless of the situation or location – whether within or outside the conflict zones – Bangladesh will stand by its citizens.
“Our most important national interest is our people. If any of our citizens are harmed, whether on one side of the border or the other, we will be there for them. We remain fully committed to their safety,” Dr Rahman said.
The Foreign Minister also expressed hope that no further loss of life or injuries would occur among Bangladeshi nationals, but assured that all necessary steps would be taken should the situation worsen.
He also addressed the concerns of those who were preparing to travel abroad for work but are now stranded due to the crisis.
“We will make arrangements to send them back as soon as air travel resumes,” he stated. In addition, Dr Rahman revealed that he had received telephone calls from the Foreign Ministers of Kuwait and Bahrain, as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister of Qatar, to discuss the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the region.
“The main focus of the discussions was the safety and security of our nationals living in the Middle East. They assured us that the safety of our expatriates would be ensured,” he said.
The meeting brought together Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister Nurul Haque, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Rashiduzzaman Millat, senior secretaries, and the Chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, among others.
While talking to the journalists, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed said an inter-ministerial meeting was held to assess the evolving situation and coordinate a unified response.
Obaed said the government’s “number one priority” is to ensure the safety and security of Bangladeshi nationals in Gulf countries and those currently stranded at home due to travel uncertainty.
Officials from relevant ministries have visited airports over the past two days to monitor the situation. Measures have been taken to ensure affected passengers can safely travel to hotels and avoid unnecessary hardship.
Regular updates are being collected to assist passengers whose visas are nearing expiration or who have already purchased tickets but are unable to travel.
She noted that workers bound for countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have been impacted.
The government is working to ensure that those unable to depart remain secure in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country until normal travel resumes.
Meanwhile, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government has opened a dedicated cell to address visa-related complications faced by migrant workers stranded in Bangladesh.
“In this situation, many expatriate Bangladeshis are stuck at home while their visas are about to expire. We have opened a cell to assist them,” he told journalists after the meeting.
He said the government will coordinate with Bangladeshi missions abroad to resolve visa issues. “We will communicate with the embassies and try to solve these visa problems. We hope we will be able to resolve them,” he added.
Chowdhury also confirmed that two Bangladeshi nationals were killed and seven others injured in attacks in different Middle Eastern countries amid the ongoing unrest.
The ministers said all concerned agencies are working in close coordination and will continue monitoring developments to ensure that Bangladeshi citizens can travel safely and without complications once the situation stabilises.
