Dawa Party calls Khamenei killing a ‘treacherous political assassination’ and attack on Islam

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Islamic Dawa Party mourned Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Sunday, describing his killing as “a treacherous political assassination” and “a blatant attack on Islam and its symbols,” warning that those responsible “bear the political and moral consequences of this crime, and the surge of public anger that will not subside.”

The party described Khamenei as “a distinguished leader” and “a learned jurist who illuminated for millions the paths of hope and courage,” saying his death was “a major loss” that would nonetheless increase the path of resistance “in firmness, as the pure blood of the martyrs is the fuel that grants the nation strength and steadfast unity.”

The Dawa Party is a leading component of the State of Law Coalition, headed by Nouri al-Maliki, who is embroiled in a battle for the prime ministership following November’s elections.

The Iraqi government separately declared three days of nationwide mourning and renewed its call for an immediate and unconditional halt to military operations in the region.