Earlier this week, we reported a member of the US air force had died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in an apparent protest over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Aaron Bushnell, 25, had shouted “free Palestine” as he was engulfed in flames.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has now tweeted about the incident, saying: “The West’s disgraceful antihuman policies with regard to the genocide in Gaza have reached such a point that a US military officer sets himself on fire. #AaronBushnell.” 

In a second post, written in English, he said: “The genocide in Gaza is even too much for that young person who was brought up in the Western culture. His conscience was hurting, and he set himself on fire. #AaronBushnell.” 

Iranian state media had eulogised Mr Bushnell after his death.