The killing of Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US–Israeli strikes has drawn robust reactions from each Russia and China, with leaders in Moscow and Beijing sharply criticising the transfer and urging a direct halt to army operations.Khamenei, 86, was killed in a serious aerial assault on Iranian army and authorities websites.
His dying has pushed the area into contemporary instability, with Iran launching retaliatory missile and drone assaults throughout the Gulf.
Putin calls killing ‘cynical violation’ of legislation
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the assassination as “a cynical violation of all norms of human morality and worldwide legislation”, as per information company AFP.In a letter printed by the Kremlin and addressed to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin expressed his “deepest condolences for the assassination of” Khamenei. He stated the Iranian chief “shall be remembered as an excellent statesman who made an infinite private contribution to the event of pleasant Russian-Iranian relations”.Putin additionally requested Pezeshkian to “convey my most honest sympathy and help to the family and family members of the Supreme Chief, to the federal government and to the complete individuals of Iran”.Russia had earlier condemned the US–Israeli strikes as a “harmful journey” that might set off a regional “disaster”. Moscow had beforehand known as for restraint within the run-up to the assaults.On Saturday, Russian overseas minister Sergei Lavrov held a cellphone name along with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. The Russian overseas ministry harassed that the dialog was held “on the initiative of the Iranian facet”.Russia and Iran have strengthened ties lately, particularly after Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine. In 2025, the 2 nations signed a strategic partnership treaty aimed toward deepening cooperation, together with in army issues.
China says killing ‘unacceptable’
China additionally issued a robust condemnation. In keeping with AFP, Beijing stated the killing was “a severe violation of Iran’s sovereignty and safety, a trampling on the goals and rules of the UN Constitution and the essential norms of worldwide relations”.“China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this,” the overseas ministry stated, calling for an “fast halting of army operations”.Chinese language overseas minister Wang Yi spoke by cellphone with Sergei Lavrov, in a name initiated by the Russian facet, Chinese language state media reported.Through the dialog, Wang stated the “blatant killing of a sovereign chief and the incitement of regime change” by the USA and Israel was “unacceptable”, in accordance with China’s Xinhua information company.He added that China was “extremely involved” the Center East might be pushed right into a “harmful abyss”. Wang additionally warned that attacking a sovereign state with out UN Safety Council authorisation undermines the worldwide order established after the Second World Warfare.“The worldwide group should ship a particular and clear message opposing the world’s regression to the legislation of the jungle,” he stated.
Evacuation advisory for Chinese language residents
Amid rising tensions, Beijing has urged its residents in Iran to depart the nation “as quickly as potential”. Repeating the decision on Sunday, the overseas ministry stated Chinese language passport holders may exit Iran by means of visa-free land routes into Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey.The warning displays rising fears that the battle may widen additional after Iran fired drones and missiles at Israel, US army installations and Gulf states, in accordance with information company AP.
Wider international concern
The killing has sparked alarm past Moscow and Beijing. Pope Leo XIV known as for an finish to the “spiral of violence” and urged all events to behave with “ethical accountability” earlier than the state of affairs turns into “an irreparable chasm”.“Stability and peace should not constructed by means of mutual threats or with weapons, which sow destruction, ache, and dying, however solely by means of cheap, real, and accountable dialogue,” the Pope stated throughout his Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Sq..In the meantime, the USA has defended the operation. President Donald Trump stated the strikes gave Iranians their “best probability” to “take again” their nation and warned Tehran towards escalating assaults additional.
The robust language from Moscow and Beijing portrays a widening geopolitical divide. Each Russia and China have nearer ties with Iran and have incessantly criticised US and Israeli actions within the area.With Russia and Iran sure by a current strategic treaty and China warning towards “regime change”, the reactions present that the killing of Khamenei will not be solely a regional challenge however one with international diplomatic penalties.
