World leaders urge return to talks after US and Israeli strikes kill Iranian leader Ali Khamenei

World leaders have called for peace and a return to negotiations as US and Israeli military strikes against Iran raise concerns about whether violence could spread across the region and tensions rise as Iran promises devastating coups following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A huge explosion occurred in the capital of Iran on Sunday morning, after the Israeli army announced that it had opened the road to the capital Tehran the previous day and said that it was targeting the “heart” of the city. Meanwhile, Iran continued its retaliatory campaign targeting US military bases in the Gulf countries.

The death of Khamenei, whose successor remains unknown, is likely to throw Iran’s future into uncertainty and worsen already growing concerns about a broader conflict. But it also gives hope to Iranians facing political repression.

Speaking on Sunday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged the complexity of the situation. 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.”

The German chancellor said it was difficult to predict the evolution of the situation. It is not yet clear how far Iran wants to go in the counter-offensive, but “we also do not know whether its plan to create political change from within through external military strikes will be successful.”

To reduce the risks, Merz outlined four principles that his country would follow in its future activities in the region: Creating a new order in the Middle East in which all neighbors recognize Israel’s right to exist; Pursue an agreement that commits Iran to ending its nuclear and ballistic missile programs; To support Iran’s future economic development and to help Iranians freely determine their future.

World leaders call for resumption of negotiations

Fears of the conflict spreading were further raised on Sunday when British Defense Secretary John Healey said Iranian missile and drone strikes had come within a few hundred yards (metres) of 300 British military personnel in Bahrain, with two missiles even being 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.”

He said British aircraft would intercept any Iranian drones and missiles they saw.

Cyprus government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis stated that the news on X about a missile being fired at Cyprus is not valid and that “there is no indication of any threat to the country.”

Top diplomats from the 27 European Union countries are holding an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Iran and next steps for the bloc.

“The death of Ali Khamenei is a decisive moment in Iran’s history. It is unclear what will happen next,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday. But there is now a clear path to a different Iran, one that its people can have more freedom to shape.”

Pope Leo

At a U.N. Security Council meeting on Saturday, the U.N. chief and many countries called for a halt to attacks and a return to negotiations to prevent the conflict from spreading across the region and beyond.

Secretary-General António Guterres told the council that everything must be done to prevent tensions. “The alternative,” he warned, “is a broader potential conflict that could have serious consequences for civilians and regional stability.”

Perhaps wary of upsetting already tense relations with 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 on Sunday: “Return to your senses… and deal with your neighbors sensibly and responsibly before the circle of isolation and tension widens.”

Condolence messages

Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned Khamenei’s killing, calling it “a cynical violation of human decency and all norms of 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.”

He said attacking a sovereign state without permission from the UN Security Council would undermine the foundations of the peace established after the Second World War.

Protests and celebrations

At least nine people died in a clash with police on Sunday after hundreds of protesters attacked the US Consulate in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, officials said.

As hundreds of Iraqis marched through Sadr City to condemn Khamenei’s killing, they wore black and waving flags belonging to Iran-backed Iraqi militias and red flags symbolizing revenge in the Shiite Muslim faith.

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 in Berlin and Vienna were seen cheering and dancing in celebrations on Sunday. Some of the 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.