Iran confirmed early Sunday that its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli air strikes the previous day. A perilous new escalation of tensions in the already volatile Middle East is inevitable.

Iran has retaliated swiftly, targeting US and Israeli interests across the region. Meanwhile, reports of explosions in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia underscore the widespread impact of the irresponsible aggression of the US and Israel. The situation is further exacerbated by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for global oil supplies, which could have severe repercussions for the global economy.

The attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran during the US-Iran negotiations are unacceptable. The blatant killing of the leader of a sovereign nation and the incitement of regime change are also unacceptable. These actions violate international law and the basic norms of international relations.

Attacking sovereign states without authorization from the UN Security Council undermines the foundation of peace established after World War II, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a telephone call with his Russian counterpart on Sunday. The international community should send a clear and unequivocal message opposing a return to the law of the jungle.

The stated objectives of the US administration — which once again launched military attacks without the authorization of Congress — and Israel are to address so-called "imminent threats" and to eliminate "dangers" to Israel.

But these "concerns", pretexts really, were overshadowed by the broader implications of the attacks. The extensive air strikes, including those on civilian targets, have resulted in heavy loss of life, highlighting the human cost of military aggression and raising serious ethical and humanitarian concerns.

The international response has been one of alarm and condemnation. China has called for an immediate end to the military actions.

As Wang Yi stressed with his Russian counterpart in their telephone talks, military operations must cease immediately; dialogue and negotiation should resume as soon as possible; unilateral actions must be jointly opposed.

In his remarks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military strikes, which he said was a violation of "sovereignty and territorial integrity". The UN chief rightly warned that military action risks igniting a chain of events that no one can control in one of the world's most volatile regions, potentially sparking a wider conflict "with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability".

Meanwhile, the economic implications of the Strait of Hormuz's closure are becoming increasingly apparent. Oil prices have surged, fueling concerns about global economic stability. There is mounting pressure on international leaders to broker a resolution to reopen this vital waterway.

As some analysts suggest, diplomatic channels, possibly involving neutral mediators, could be the key to de-escalating tensions. With back-channel negotiations or involvement of influential global players being looked to as a way to prevent further escalation.

In parallel, there should be an increasing push for a renewed focus on long-term peacebuilding efforts in the region. This includes addressing underlying issues such as economic disparities, political grievances and sectarian divides that have historically fueled conflict. Such moves would be conducive to building a comprehensive security framework in the Middle East, one that includes confidence-building measures and mechanisms for conflict resolution.

The role of regional powers and their ability to influence outcomes cannot be underestimated. Their involvement in negotiations could be crucial for achieving a lasting peace.

An escalation and spillover of the situation in the Middle East — with the US leader even explicitly calling for Iranians to overthrow their government — is not in the interests of any party, including those who have started the conflict in the first place.

The US should heed the lessons from its past adventurism in the region, refrain from further escalation of the tense situation, and seek to return to the path of negotiation. It will only end up being burned again if it allows itself to be manipulated by Israel to add further fuel to the fire.

BAGHDAD -- The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority on Sunday extended the total shutdown of the country's airspace for an additional 24 hours, citing continuous assessment of volatile regional security developments.

A statement issued by the authority said that the extension, effective from 12:00 noon local time (09:00 GMT) Sunday until 12:00 noon Monday, suspends all arriving, departing and transiting aircraft to ensure flight safety amid heightened military risks.

The authority described the measure as "temporary and precautionary."

The extension came a day after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, prompting Iran's retaliation. Tehran confirmed Sunday that its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in Saturday's attacks.

JERUSALEM -- Multiple explosions were heard in Tel Aviv on Sunday, eyewitnesses said, as Israel's military said it was operating to intercept new barrages of missiles from Iran that triggered air raid sirens across the country.

JERUSALEM - The Israeli military confirmed in a statement on Sunday that it had killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in an airstrike targeting his office in Tehran.

According to the statement, Khamenei, who had ruled the country since 1989, was assassinated in a large-scale operation carried out by the Israeli Air Force, guided by precise Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intelligence, while he was in his central leadership compound in the Iranian capital, along with other senior officials.

ACCRA -- The government of Ghana has activated an emergency preparedness plan to evacuate nationals from the Middle East if necessary, according to a travel advisory by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs late Saturday.

The ministry said assessments are underway to determine the evacuation needs of Ghanaian citizens.

"An emergency preparedness plan has been activated. The government has at this time initiated the evacuation of a number of staff of the Embassy of Ghana in Tehran, retaining essential personnel to coordinate assistance to Ghanaians in the Islamic Republic of Iran," read the advisory.

Ghana has also urged its nationals in the Middle East to avoid non-essential travel to and from the region. Residents are advised to stay indoors and adhere to directives issued by local authorities.

"Nationals in affected areas should avoid large gatherings and sensitive locations, closely monitor official communications, keep travel documents readily accessible, and maintain contact with the nearest Ghanaian diplomatic mission," it added.

Meanwhile, the government called on all parties involved in the Middle East situation "to exercise restraint, de-escalate, and return to diplomatic engagement in the interest of protecting lives, ensuring economic stability, and lasting regional peace."

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, expressing China's position on the situation in Iran, urged an immediate cessation of military operations, a prompt return to dialogue and negotiations, and a joint opposition to unilateral actions.

Wang made the statement on Sunday during his telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Saturday.

The talks came following an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council jointly initiated by China and Russia.

Wang said that China consistently advocates for adherence to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter and opposes the use of force in international relations.

The attacks by the US and Israel on Iran during the Iran-US negotiation process are unacceptable, as is the blatant assassination of a leader of a sovereign state and the incitement of regime change, he noted, adding these actions have violated international law and fundamental norms of international relations.

He emphasized that currently, the conflict has spread throughout the Persian Gulf, and the Middle East situation risks being pushed to a dangerous brink, a possibility China is "highly concerned" about.

Wang urged immediately ceasing military actions to prevent the spread and spillover of the conflict and avoid the situation from becoming uncontrollable.

China values the security of the Gulf countries and supports them in maintaining a restrained attitude, he said.

While emphasizing the importance of returning to dialogue and negotiation, Wang said that all parties should make every effort to promote peace and discourage war and urge the involved parties to return to talks as soon as possible.

He stressed that launching military strikes against a sovereign state without authorization of the UN Security Council undermines the peace foundation established after World War II. He called on the international community to clearly and unequivocally voice opposition to the world reverting to the law of the jungle.

Lavrov said that the US-Israel military strikes against Iran severely undermine the stability of the Middle East region.

Russia shares the same position as China, and is willing to strengthen coordination and communication with China on the situation, using platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to send a clear signal to call for an immediate cessation of war and a return to the diplomatic negotiation process, he said.

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the attack and killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the United States and Israel in the air strikes, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.

Calling such an act a grave violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, the spokesperson said it also tramples on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and basic norms in international relations.

"We urge an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large," the spokesperson added.

TEHRAN -- Iran's Expediency Discernment Council has selected Alireza Arafi as a member of the country's interim leadership council, the official news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.

The move complies with Article 111 of Iran's constitution, which requires a jurist from the Constitutional Council to serve on the interim leadership body, IRNA quoted Expediency Council spokesman Seyed Mohsen Dehnavi as saying.

Arafi was appointed to ensure the country's leadership continues without interruption, and that Iran's Assembly of Experts will select a permanent leader as soon as possible, the spokesman said.

Earlier, Iran announced the formation of a three-member transitional council to handle the state duties following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Saturday's US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The interim leadership council also comprises Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei.

The United States and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran against Israeli and US targets across the Middle East.

JERUSALEM -- Israel's military said on Sunday that the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi and about 40 other senior commanders were killed in airstrikes in Iran since Saturday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said the Israeli Air Force, guided by military intelligence, killed seven members of Iran's top security leadership on Saturday at several locations in Tehran.

Among those killed was Mousavi, who had succeeded Mohammad Bagheri, the former chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces killed in Israeli airstrikes in June last year.

Iran's state-run IRIB TV has confirmed that Mousavi was killed.

"Also at this moment, we are attacking forcefully across Iran, and we will continue as long as necessary," Defrin said, adding that Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir had instructed forces to intensify strikes on missile launchers in Iran.

In a separate statement, the IDF said Israeli warplanes had "dismantled the majority of the aerial defense systems in western and central Iran" and were paving the way toward "establishing aerial superiority" over Tehran.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks.

JERUSALEM -- An Iranian drone was intercepted over Jerusalem on Sunday by Israel's defense systems, after triggering sirens across central Israel, the Israeli military and state broadcaster Kan said.

BEIJING -- It is unacceptable for the United States and Israel to launch strikes on Iran during the Iran-US negotiations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Sunday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that it is also unacceptable for them to openly kill the leader of a sovereign state and encourage government transfer, adding that these actions violate international law and basic international relations.

China firmly opposes, strongly condemns attack, killing of Iran's supreme leader, Wang said, adding that the attack and killing of Iran's supreme leader tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.

BEIJING -- China has consistently upheld the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and opposes the use of force in international relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the situation in Iran.

JERUSALEM -- Israel's military said Sunday its warplanes carried out "large-scale strikes" on the headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran, and released footage showing several bombs dropped on two adjacent compounds, causing large explosions.

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli air force began striking targets belonging to the Iranian government in the "heart of Tehran," Israel's military said in a statement on Sunday, the second day of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

TEHRAN -- Iran confirmed early Sunday that its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes here the previous day.

"Iran's leader attained martyrdom while carrying out his duties at his office," reported Iran's Nour News affiliated with the country's Supreme National Security Council.

The report said that the attack also resulted in the deaths of Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and one of his daughters-in-law.

In response to the loss, the Iranian cabinet issued a statement declaring 40 days of national mourning, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The statement said Iran's leader was killed following a "brutal attack by the criminal US government and the sinister Israeli regime," praising Khamenei for having led the country "sagaciously" for more than 37 years.

The Iranian government vowed that the perpetrators of the "major crime" would be held accountable, and that Iran would ensure those responsible "regret their actions."

In line with constitutional procedures, Mohammad Mokhber, the Supreme Leader's aide, confirmed that the leadership duties would temporarily be assumed by Iran's president, judiciary chief, and a jurist from the Constitutional Council, as outlined in Article 111 of Iran's Constitution, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in a statement published on its official outlet, Sepah News, offered its condolences and vowed that the Iranian nation would exact "a hard, decisive, and regret-inducing" punishment on the "murderers." It denounced the U.S. and Israeli attack as a "criminal and terrorist" act that violated international norms.

Following the announcement of Khamenei's death, Iranian mourners took to the streets across various cities on Sunday, voicing their anger and calling for retribution.

Born in 1939, Khamenei became Iran's Supreme Leader in 1989 after the death of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ruhollah Khomeini.

On Saturday morning, the United States and Israel launched "major combat operations" against Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli military installations across the West Asia region.

TEHRAN - Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi was killed in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the country's state-run IRIB TV reported on Sunday.

The strikes on Tehran also killed Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Mohammad Pakpour, Secretary of the country's Defense Council Ali Shamkhani, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.

Additional names of victims will be released subsequently, according to local media reports.

TEHRAN -- A top Iranian security official said on Sunday the country will form an interim council later in the day to assume the leadership responsibilities until the selection of a new leader.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani made the remarks in an interview with state-run IRIB TV hours after the country confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.

Larijani said that according to Article 111 of Iran's Constitution, if the country lacks leadership, its president, judiciary chief and a jurist from the Constitutional Council will temporarily assume the leader's responsibilities.

He added that the council will be set up as soon as possible.

The security council chief said that the entire nation has become mournful and angry, and will respond to the Israeli and US actions.

Larijani warned that Israel seeks to divide Iran to dominate the entire West Asia region, adding that the United States has fallen into Israel's trap.

He stressed that it appears as if despite the "America First" slogan of US President Donald Trump, Israel is the top US priority, adding that Israel has dominated the United States.

On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, including Tabriz, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases across the region.

Several Iranian senior officials, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Abdolrahim Mousavi, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, Secretary of the Defense Council Ali Shamkhani, and Mohammad Pakpour, chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were also killed in the strike.

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said Saturday night that a diplomatic solution in Iran remains possible and is "much easier now" following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"Much easier now than it was a day ago, obviously," Trump said in a phone interview with CBS News, saying the attacks have been effective and could create a pathway to diplomacy.

Trump said "there are some good candidates" to lead Iran in the wake of Khamenei's death but did not elaborate.

On Iran's retaliatory response, Trump said: "It's what we expected."

"We thought it'd be double," Trump said. "Thus far, it's been less than we thought."

Earlier in the day, following the announcement of Khamenei's death, Trump said that the massive military campaign against Iran would continue.

"The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary," said Trump in a post on social media.

The risk of an all-out war in the Middle East is surging but remains contained, as neither Washington nor Tehran seeks a protracted conflict. However, a "retaliation loop" risks a fatal miscalculation. In an interview with China Daily, Cheng Xizhong, senior fellow at the Charhar Institute, noted that the US is using stalled nuclear talks as a pretext to strike Iranian facilities, driven by a triple agenda. He warned that without swift international mediation, the region faces protracted turmoil.

Reporter: Li Wei

DUBAI - Several loud explosions were heard across Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on Sunday morning.

A plume of smoke was seen rising from the port of Jebel Ali.