Calls For Peace And Flashes Of Anger After U.S. And Israeli Attacks Kill Iran’s Khamenei
BRUSSELS (AP) — World leaders called for peace and a return to negotiations after military strikes Sunday US and Israel’s action against Iran Concerns have been expressed that violence could spread to the region, with Iran vowing a devastating blow following his killing. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A day after the attacks began, Iran’s capital was shaken by huge explosions after the Israeli army announced that it was targeting the “heart” of Tehran. Iran continued its retaliatory campaign targeting US military bases in the Gulf countries.
Iranian officials have rushed to plan a future following the death of Khamenei, whose successor is unknown, as celebrated by some Iranians who have long been subject to political repression.
It’s on the streets all over the world. There have been protests of anger or celebration. As the exchange of fire continued, world leaders grappled with how to respond.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recognized this complexity. Acknowledging the legal uncertainty of the US attack, Merz said there was less and less respect for international law globally and there was little point in lecturing allies.
He said that the Iranian regime was a “terrorist” that endangered its citizens and the region, and that Germany therefore essentially accepted the objectives of the US action.
“The Federal Government shares the relief felt by many Iranians that this mullah regime is now coming to an end,” Merz said. “Together with the United States and Israel, we share an interest in ending this regime’s terrorism and stopping its dangerous nuclear and ballistic weapons.”
Like others, Merz said he did not know whether Germany’s “plan to create political change from within through military strikes from without will succeed.”
‘It is unclear what will happen next’
British Defense Secretary John Healey said on Sunday that Iranian missile and drone strikes came within a few hundred yards (meters) of 300 British military personnel in Bahrain, and two missiles were even fired in the direction of Cyprus, where Britain has bases.
Healey told Sky News: “We don’t believe they are targeting Cyprus, but nevertheless this is an example of what a real and growing threat there is from a regime that is attacking broadly across the region and requires us to take action.”
Cyprus government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis stated that the news about a missile being fired at Cyprus in X is not valid.
Top diplomats from the 27 European Union countries were holding an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation and next steps for the bloc.
“Ali Khamenei’s death is a decisive moment in Iranian history. It is unclear what will happen next,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. But there is now a clear path to a different Iran, one that its people can have more freedom to shape.”
Pope Leo
A call was made to Iran to ‘return to your senses’
At the UN Security Council meeting on Saturday, the UN chief and many countries called for a halt to nuclear proliferation. attacks and a return to negotiations to prevent further expansion of the conflict. Secretary-General António Guterres said everything must be done to prevent tensions.
Perhaps wary of upsetting already tense relations with US President Donald Trump, many countries, including many in the Middle East, have refrained from commenting directly or publicly on the joint attacks but condemned Tehran’s retaliation.
The 22-nation Arab League called the Iranian attacks “a clear violation of the sovereignty of countries that defend peace and strive for stability.” This coalition of nations has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region.
Anwar Gargash, an advisor to the president of the United Arab Emirates, told the Iranian theocracy: “Return to your senses… and deal with your neighbors sensibly and responsibly before the circle of isolation and tension widens.”
Russia and China criticized Khamenei’s killing
Russian leader Vladimir Putin condemned Khamenei’s killing, calling it “a cynical violation of all norms of human decency and international law.”
“The blatant killing of the leader of a sovereign state and provocation of regime change is unacceptable,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency. “These actions violate international law and the fundamental norms governing international relations.”
Wang said attacking a sovereign state without permission from the UN Security Council would undermine the foundations of the peace established after World War II.
Some protest, some celebrate
At least 22 people died in clashes with police Hundreds of protesters flocked He was at the U.S. Consulate in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, officials said.
In Iraq, hundreds of people marched through Sadr City to condemn Khamenei’s killing, wearing black and waving flags belonging to Iran-backed Iraqi militias and red flags symbolizing revenge in the Shiite Muslim faith.
Anger was reflected in protests among Shiite Muslims in Istanbul and India.
Demonstrations celebrating the end of Khamenei’s rule were held from New York to Berlin and beyond by members of the Iranian diaspora and their supporters.
Iranians were seen cheering and dancing in Paris, Berlin and Vienna. Some demonstrators waved flags of the Iranian monarchy; Israeli and US flags were also displayed. Hopeful Iranians also took to the streets in many cities in the USA.
Ciobanu reported from Warsaw and Metz from the West Bank city of Ramallah. Journalists from around the world contributed to this report.
