Putin says he doesn't want to discuss potential assassination of Iran's supreme leader

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 18 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he "doesn't even want to discuss" the potential assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israel or the United States.

Putin was answering a question at a meeting of senior editors from various media organisations on the sidelines of an economic forum.

Asked if Russia was ready to provide Iran with modern weapons to defend itself against Israeli strikes, Putin said a strategic partnership treaty signed with Tehran in January did not envisage military cooperation.