Brussels, Mar 2: World leaders urged an immediate return to diplomacy after coordinated US and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dramatically escalating tensions across the Middle East.
Governments warned that the attacks, and Iran’s swift retaliation, risk triggering a wider regional war with global consequences. Iran vowed “devastating blows” in response, heightening fears of prolonged instability.
A massive explosion struck Tehran on Sunday morning, with Israel saying it was targeting the “heart” of the capital after claiming it had cleared a path to the city a day earlier.
Meanwhile, Iran intensified its retaliation campaign. Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain reported intercepting barrages of Iranian missiles aimed at their territories.
Oman, which has recently acted as a mediator between Tehran and Washington in nuclear talks, said an oil tanker was attacked in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
It also reported a drone strike on the port of Duqm, a key logistical hub used by the US Navy and capable of hosting aircraft carriers.
The incidents raised concerns about the security of vital global shipping lanes and energy supplies.
Iran appointed Ayatollah Alireza Arafi as interim leader, joining a council with the president and judiciary head, following claims by the US and Israel that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in Saturday strikes.
The council will lead the country until a permanent successor is chosen. The strikes triggered immediate Iranian retaliation.
Diplomatic efforts intensified as the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session late Saturday. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all sides to halt attacks and resume negotiations, warning that failure to de-escalate could lead to a wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.
He criticized both the US and Israeli airstrikes as violations of international law, while also condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes for breaching the sovereignty of several Gulf states.
The Security Council meeting was marked by sharp exchanges between US and Iranian representatives, underscoring the deep divisions within the international community.
Simultaneously, foreign ministers from the 27 European Union nations gathered for an emergency meeting to coordinate a response.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned Iran’s missile attacks on neighboring countries and stressed the need to prevent further spread of the war.
European leaders emphasized that diplomacy remained the preferred path forward.