Reactions from China, Russia, Britain, Oman, and the Pope after Khamenei's assassination

Following the assassination of Iran's eighty-six-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials in the country, as a result of a massive joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel, various reactions are emerging from the international community regarding these assassinations, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in particular, having sent a special message to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressing his profound condolences.

Through the condolence message published on the official Russian Kremlin website, President Putin stated that he expresses his heartfelt sorrow regarding the assassination of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and members of his family. He further emphasized that he strongly condemns this assassination, which was carried out in an extremely despicable manner, violating the fundamental principles of international law and all norms of human morality. Mr. Putin's statement also indicated that the late Mr. Khamenei will be eternally remembered in Russia as an outstanding diplomat who made an immense personal contribution to elevating Russian-Iranian bilateral relations from a friendly level to a broad strategic partnership. Furthermore, the Russian President requested the Iranian President to convey his sincere support and condolences to the Supreme Leader's family members, friends, the Iranian government, and the entire Iranian people.

In response to American and Israeli attacks, Iran has launched a series of massive missile and drone attacks across the region, and as a side effect, Oman's sovereignty has also been affected. According to reports released by Oman's Maritime Security Centre, four people were injured in an Iranian attack on an oil tanker flying the flag of the State of Palau, which was sailing in the sea north of Khasab Port. Additionally, it is reported that a foreign worker was injured in an attack by two Iranian drones targeting the Duqm commercial port on Oman's east coast. The State of Qatar and Saudi Arabia have issued statements strongly condemning this situation, pointing out that this attack by Iran targeting Oman is a serious violation of the sovereignty of a brotherly nation, as well as an unacceptable threat to regional peace. 


The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized such a cowardly attack targeting a country like Oman, which continuously acts as an active mediator for indirect talks regarding the ongoing nuclear crisis between the United States and Iran. Qatari authorities also stated that they extend their full support to Oman's constructive dialogues aimed at de-escalating regional tensions and resolving issues. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commented on the incident, emphasizing that it provides full support for Oman's sovereignty and security, and that all capabilities and resources of its state are open for Oman's benefit. The Riyadh government, warning of the dangerous consequences of such continuous Iranian offensive violations that undermine regional security and stability, has also made an urgent appeal to the international community to take strong stances and actions against Iran.

Meanwhile, other leading states and religious leaders on the international stage have also paid close attention to this crisis. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the American social media platform X, declaring that the attack by the United States and Israel targeting the Iranian capital and the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader constitute the most serious violation of Iran's sovereignty and national security. China, calling this act a blatant trampling of the fundamental purposes of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms of international relations, stated that it strongly rejects and condemns the action. The Chinese government, reiterating that all military operations in the Middle East region must cease immediately, also pointed out the urgent need for a collective effort from all parties to maintain peace and stability not only in the Middle East but across the entire world. 

Concurrently, Pope Leo XIV has also expressed his grave concern regarding this armed conflict. Citing the Vatican News Service, the Pope stated that regional stability and peace can never be built through mutual threats or the use of weapons that sow destruction, pain, and death. He pointed out that peace can only be achieved through fair, genuine, and responsible dialogue, and warned that if this violence spirals out of control, it will create a tragedy of immense proportions. The Pope strongly urged all relevant parties to assume the moral responsibility required to stop this vicious cycle of violence before the world is pushed into an irreversible abyss.

In light of this entire crisis, British Defence Secretary John Healey made a special statement to Sky News and BBC media networks, clarifying Britain's position. He confirmed that Royal Air Force fighter jets are currently engaged in defensive operations across the Middle East region. He emphasized that British authorities are working to shoot down any hostile missile or drone heading towards Britain's allied countries such as Qatar and Cyprus. The Defence Secretary revealed that approximately three hundred British military personnel were stationed near a military base in Bahrain when Iran launched an attack on it last Saturday, and some individuals were just a few yards from the point of impact. He expressed his concern that the lives of British military personnel and civilians in the region are at severe risk due to such continuous and indiscriminate attacks launched by Iran across the Middle East. 

Additionally, he confirmed that two missiles had also been launched towards the Greek Cypriot administrative area, demonstrating the clear risk faced by British military bases and personnel amidst increasingly uncontrolled Iranian attacks. Responding to a journalist's question about the possibility of Britain directly attacking Iran in conjunction with its allies, he stated that Britain has not yet been involved in any offensive operations, and all efforts have been focused solely on defensive measures. Mr. Healey further emphasized that as part of regional coordination, additional radar systems, aircraft, and other weapon systems have been deployed to Cyprus and Qatar, and all their actions are carried out strictly under international law and established regulations, solely to protect the interests of Britain and its allies. However, he warned that the risk arising from Iran's indiscriminate retaliatory attacks is very high given the current extremely serious and deteriorating situation.