ISTANBUL

The Kremlin condemned on Wednesday what it described as the "murder and liquidation" of representatives of Iran’s leadership, a day after Tehran confirmed the death of its security chief in an Israeli strike earlier this week.

“We strongly condemn actions aimed at causing harm to the health, or especially the murder and liquidation, of representatives of the leadership of sovereign Iran … as well as other countries. We condemn such actions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing.

His remarks came in response to a question about Russia's position on the killing of Iranian leaders, including Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani.

The Israeli military said Tuesday that it had killed Larijani in an airstrike near Tehran, claiming he was “eliminated” in what it described as a “precise strike” overnight Monday.

In a statement later that day, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that Larijani was killed in the attack along with his son, his aide Reza Bayat, and several of his companions.

Israel and the US have continued joint attacks on Iran since Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

⁠Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

'Fake news'

Peskov also responded to a question about a Tuesday report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) about Russia sharing satellite imagery and drone technology with Iran, calling it "fake news."

"There are a lot of different reports circulating about this war, and the vast majority are nothing more than fake news. Therefore, we don't consider it necessary to comment on each of these reports," Peskov said.

He went on to say that the US itself issued official statements declaring it has no information about Russia assisting Iran amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Citing people familiar with the matter, including a senior European intelligence officer, WSJ reported that Moscow has been expanding its intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Tehran to help Iran in targeting US forces in the region.

According to the report, Russia provided Iran with technology that included components of modified Shahed drones, and Moscow has also offered drone use experience gained during the Ukraine war.

Russia has also been providing Iran with the locations of US military forces in the Middle East, as well as those of its regional allies, the report added.