President Dodges Questions Over Government Silence on Khamenei’s Death

President Mohamed Muizzu avoided directly answering questions over the government’s decision not to observe a period of mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

During a press conference, Dhauru journalist Muzayyin Nazim questioned why no official mourning measures were announced after Khamenei’s death and asked whether the silence signalled a tacit alignment with Israel. In response, the President did not explain why the government had refrained from observing mourning protocols. Instead, he said the government’s position on the Israel–Palestine issue has always been openly stated.

He added that most government ministries had already issued statements regarding the escalating situation in the Middle East and noted that he had personally been in contact with leaders of countries targeted by Iran. Concluding his initial response, the President said the government would take action “as per procedure.”

Muzayyin pressed further, pointing out that in previous instances when leaders from Islamic countries had passed away, the Maldives had observed official mourning periods. They asked why similar procedures were not followed in this case.

While again declining to disclose the specific reason for the absence of mourning measures, President Muizzu said he was working with all Muslim countries “in one spirit.”

The questions come amid heightened regional tensions. According to Al Jazeera, Iran launched attacks on United States assets across several Gulf Arab states in retaliation for a large-scale joint strike by the US and Israel, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict.

Citing the Fars news agency, Al Jazeera reported that Iran targeted sites in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where airbases hosting US assets are located. Iran also confirmed that Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike.