D-8, OPEC heads extend condolences to Iran over martyrdom of Leader

The Secretary-General of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation and the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have conveyed condolences on the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, while reaffirming solidarity with the Iranian people, as international expressions of sympathy for Iran continue.

D-8 Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood held a meeting in Tehran on Friday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He has traveled to the Iranian capital to attend ceremonies honoring the martyred Leader.

Mahmoud expressed condolences over the martyrdom of the late Leader, as well as senior Iranian officials and civilians killed during the US-Israeli-imposed war.

He also conveyed the D-8 Secretariat's sympathy and solidarity with the Iranian government and people.

Mahmood further briefed Araghchi on the D-8 Secretariat's upcoming programs and meetings, calling for Iran's continued active participation in the organization's future activities.

Araghchi, for his part, thanked the D-8 Secretary-General for attending the farewell ceremony, expressing appreciation for the positions taken by D-8 member states in condemning the US and Israeli military actions against Iran and voicing support for the country.

The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to the importance of regional organizations in addressing US unilateralism, stressing Tehran's commitment to maintaining active cooperation within the D-8 framework.

Separately, OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al Ghais sent a message of condolence to Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad on the occasion of the funeral ceremonies for the martyred leader.

In the message, Al Ghais said he was conveying, on behalf of OPEC, his "sincere condolences" to Iran's leadership and people following the funeral of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

He also said OPEC's thoughts and prayers are with the Iranian people during a period of profound national mourning and extended condolences to the late leader's family, expressing hope that they would find comfort and strength in the difficult period ahead.

Al Ghais concluded by reaffirming OPEC's sympathy as Iran commemorates the life and legacy of its late leader.

World leaders, top officials head to Tehran for funeral of martyred Leader Ayatollah Khamenei

A high-level Pakistani delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also attend.

Iran began the first stage of funeral ceremonies for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Friday as foreign dignitaries and religious figures paid their respects at Tehran's Grand Mosalla.

The two-day public farewell ceremony began on Saturday morning in the gigantic mosque complex.

Large public delegations from neighboring countries, including Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, are in Tehran to pay tribute to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

The public farewell, beginning Friday, follows a private ceremony held Thursday evening. Families of those killed in the recent war and relatives of staff members from the Leader's office gathered to bid farewell to the late Leader.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Iran's leader since 1989, was assassinated at the age of 86 at his compound in central Tehran on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran.

The strike, part of a coordinated US-Israeli war of aggression, also killed several of his relatives.

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