Daily brief
Donald Trump stated that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead following reported strikes and warned Iran against retaliation, threatening a severe response. He suggested the death could create an opening for diplomacy. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United States can use British military bases for what he described as defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites.
Iran confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following reported joint attacks by the United States and Israel, naming Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi as interim leader.
China condemned military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran as 'unacceptable' and 'shocking', calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz commented that Germany faces a dilemma due to the US and Israeli actions but shares the US aim of ending Iran's 'dangerous' nuclear armament.
The US and Israel defended the strikes at a UN meeting where Iran alleged a 'war crime', while North Korea and Russian lawmakers also condemned the attacks.