The killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an attack by the United States and Israel has triggered sharp global reactions. Iran said it launched retaliatory strikes on Israel and US assets in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Oman.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged revenge, claiming attacks on 27 US military bases in the Middle East. Several regional countries closed their airspace amid escalating exchanges.

Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will hold an emergency meeting. EU member states are also conducting urgent talks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called the killing "an open declaration of war against Muslims." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz congratulated the operation, stating "justice has been served." Former US President Donald Trump warned Iran against further retaliation. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the "cynical murder." China "strongly condemned" the strike and called for an immediate halt to military operations. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described it as "a defining moment in Iran's history." UK Defense Secretary John Healey said "no one will mourn" Khamenei's death. Hamas denounced the "heinous" attack. The Houthis offered condolences and condemned the "crime."

Source: www.aljazeera.com