No name, no comment; Muizzu sidesteps mention of Khamenei entirely

Following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and spiritual head, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a U.S. strike, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has failed to show the courage to address the matter, even hesitating to mention Khamenei by name.

During a press conference held by President Muizzu on Monday, the primary concern raised by journalists pertained to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Journalists questioned the President regarding his administration's silence on the matter, noting that the government has neither officially commented on the situation nor declared any formal measures of mourning or solidarity to date.

Furthermore, journalists expressed concern over the President's remarks, which appeared to imply that Iran was the primary instigator of the attacks related to the conflict.

While President Muizzu extended condolences on behalf of the Maldives and its people to several Arab and Islamic nations affected by the conflict, Iran was notably absent from the list. Even as the press conference concluded, the President stopped short of mentioning the name of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Furthermore, when asked whether he believed the assassination of Khamenei was a tragedy for the Islamic Ummah, the President avoided a direct answer and appeared to deflect. Instead of addressing the specific question, he remarked that the ongoing war is a profound tragedy.

This war is a profound tragedy—one that should never have occurred in the first place. Israel and the United States are launching attacks on nations at their own discretion, which defies any sense of global order. Every nation must be held to the standards of international law. These actions are entirely unacceptable and represent a grave injustice that should never be permitted.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu

Following the President's remarks, the journalist repeated the question, specifically asking whether the President believed the assassination of Khamenei was a tragedy for the Islamic Ummah. Instead of providing a direct answer to that question, the President stated that the death of any Muslim is a tragedy.

Every Muslim life lost in this war is a source of profound grief for us.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu

During the meeting, he only condemned the actions of the United States and Israel, who initiated the attacks on Iran, after journalists questioned him and expressed concern regarding the matter. Prior to that, President Muizzu had consistently maintained that Iran was launching attacks on other nations, resulting in numerous fatalities and impacting several countries.

While even non-Islamic nations have condemned the incident leading to the death of the Iranian leader and extended their condolences to the Iranian people, President Muizzu has faced heavy public criticism for his apparent inability to even mention Khamenei by name. Many are now slamming the administration for its failure to issue a formal statement of sympathy.