World leaders react cautiously to US and Israeli strikes, death of Ali Khamenei

"U.S. President Donald Trump said on social media that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead, calling it the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. His death will not bring an end to the joint airstrikes, Trump added."

"The death of the second leader of the Islamic Republic, who had no designated successor, will likely throw its future into uncertainty and exacerbate already growing concerns of a broader conflict."

"Perhaps cautious about upsetting already strained relations with Trump, many nations abstained from commenting directly or pointedly on the joint strikes but condemned Tehran's retaliation. Similarly to Europeans, governments across the Middle East condemned Iran's strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. military action."

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Saturday. Israeli officials confirmed the death, with Prime Minister Netanyahu stating growing signs indicated Khamenei's death when Israel struck his compound. Khamenei's death, with no designated successor, threatens to destabilize Iran's future and heighten concerns of expanded conflict. World leaders reacted cautiously, with many nations condemning Iran's retaliation while remaining silent on U.S. military action. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting. Australia and Canada supported the strikes, while Russia and China criticized them. Trump called on Iranians to seize control of their destiny against the Islamic theocracy.

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