Putin expressed condolences to Iran's Supreme Leader over the death of Qasem Soleimani.

On the 18th local time, Russian President Putin expressed his condolences to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, for the death of Ali Shamkhani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. In the letter, Putin stated that Shamkhani was a true friend of Russia, a wise and visionary politician, and had met with him several times. The Iranian national broadcasting company released Putin's letter on the same day.