US and Israeli forces reportedly kill Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei

Multiple countries, international organizations, and prominent groups have issued statements in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on Israel and US assets in several countries, including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Oman. The country’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has pledged revenge, targeting 27 bases in the Middle East where US troops are stationed.

In response to Khamenei’s killing, several countries have closed their airspace due to escalating tensions. A Gulf source confirmed that foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council will hold an emergency meeting by video conference on Sunday to discuss the crisis.

Leaders from various countries and global bodies have also issued statements:

• President Masoud Pezeshkian described Khamenei’s killing as a “tragic event” and offered condolences.
• Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military for the strikes that killed Khamenei, stating that justice had been served.
• US President Donald Trump warned Iran against further retaliation, stating that the US would respond with force if necessary.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin described Khamenei’s killing as a “cynical murder” that violated international law and human morality.
• Chinese officials strongly condemned the strike, calling it a serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that Khamenei’s death marked a defining moment in Iran’s history and called for de-escalation.

Other groups have also issued statements, including Hamas, which mourned Khamenei’s death.

Source: Al Jazeera