Statement on repeat targeted assassinations of Iranian leaders

[SACP Communications]

South African Communist Party

Statement on repeat targeted assassinations of Iranian leaders

Friday, 20 March 2026:- Parallel to the ongoing illegal and unprovoked war it is currently waging against Iran, the US government has been conducting a consistent campaign of assassinations of high-ranking officials of the Iranian government beginning with the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Since the assassination of the Supreme Leader at the beginning of the war, the US government has assassinated Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, Security Chief Ali Larijani, and Ali Shadmani, the head of the IRGC's Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, among others. The Iranian media has also reported the assassination of two scientists, Fereydoun Abbasiand Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi in the middle of March.

These are not ordinary acts of war but targeted murders of individuals on the basis of their association with the Iranian state.

This record displays a government that is prepared to go to all lengths to destroy the state of Iran and its capacity to protect itself and its citizens. The targeting of these individuals, a great number of whom have a civilian status, reveals the preparedness of the US government to breach the stipulations of the Geneva Convention as it relates to conduct of war.

Beyond the provisions of the Geneva Convention, common civility between states requires a certain treatment of civilian authorities. The conduct of the US government in this regard is not only deplorable when measured against international standards, but it also violates basic human decency. This conduct would ordinarily be condemned by US citizens themselves if it were reciprocated in any manner. This proves the immorality of these actions beyond any doubt.

As the SACP, we condemn this conduct of the targeted assassinations of civilian leaders. While we unequivocally condemn these killings, we call on the international community and United Nations structures to take appropriate action against this criminal conduct. We continue to pledge solidarity with the people of Iran in the face of these unjustified attacks.