World reacts to Khamenei's death in Tehran as Israel, US, and Iran continue to trade strikes

"Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law," Putin said in a note to Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian released by the Kremlin.

Khamenei was killed on Saturday, aged 86, Iranian state media announced, in air strikes by Israel and the United States.

"In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and brought them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership," Putin said.

"I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government, and the entire people of Iran."

Pope Leo said on Sunday that he is following events after US-Israeli strikes against Iran with "deep concern" and made an impassioned appeal to stop what he called a "spiral of violence."

"I address a heartfelt appeal to the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss," said the pope.

"Stability and peace are not built through mutual threats or through weapons ... but only through reasonable, genuine, and responsible dialogue," the pope said during his weekly address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after a Sunday prayer.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was "a defining moment in Iran’s history."

"What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape," Kallas said on social media platform X.

"I’m in contact with partners, including those in the region that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions, to find practical steps for de-escalation."

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday that the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was "a defining moment in Iran’s history."

"What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape," Kallas said on social media platform X.

"I’m in contact with partners, including those in the region that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions, to find practical steps for de-escalation."

More than a thousand demonstrators marched to the US and Israeli embassies in Athens on Sunday to protest against strikes in Iran.

Demonstrators mainly affiliated to the Greek Communist Party held banners and placards reading "Hands off Iran" and "Close Souda base."

Greece on Saturday tightened security in Souda naval base on the island of Crete, a strategic facility for the United States in the eastern Mediterranean.

The US and Israeli embassies were cordoned off with rows of blue police buses.

Police sources estimated the number of protesters at more than 1,300.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Sunday that attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran during US-Iran negotiations were "unacceptable," according to state news agency Xinhua.

Wang said the "blatant killing of a sovereign leader" and the incitement of regime change were unacceptable, after Iran reported the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Saturday's barrage.

China is calling for an immediate cessation of military action, a return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, and joint opposition to unilateral actions, the minister said.

The United States and Israel launched their attacks early on Saturday, targeting Iran's military capability.

China's ministry on Saturday expressed concern over the strikes and called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all sides to avoid escalation and to resume dialogue and negotiation. It said Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.

On Sunday, China's embassy in Israel issued a notice advising Chinese citizens in Israel to evacuate to safer areas within the country as soon as possible or to leave for Egypt via the Taba border crossing.

China's foreign ministry on Sunday also urged Chinese citizens in Iran to leave "as soon as possible," listing four land routes to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey and Iraq.

In a commentary on Sunday, China's state-run Xinhua news agency criticized the attack, calling it "brazen aggression against a sovereign nation" and "power politics and hegemony."

Xinhua said Washington's use of military coercion was a "flagrant violation" of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and a departure from "fundamental norms of international relations."

Separately, Hong Kong-based airline operator Cathay Group 1981.HK on Saturday suspended operations in the Middle East, affecting passenger flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh as well as freighter services through Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, Cathay, the parent of Cathay Pacific Airways 0293.HK, said in a statement.

It said it is re-routing flights that typically pass over the affected area.

The conflict has caused widespread flight disruptions and cancellations.

Germany must expect a rise in the threat posed to Jewish life after US and Israeli attacks that killed Khamenei, Antisemitism Commissioner Felix Klein told the Funke media group on Sunday.

"It is to be expected that Iran will use its networks in this country to carry out terrorist attacks against Jewish and Israeli institutions," said Klein, the government official responsible for tackling antisemitism.