The assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly caused by an airstrike from the U.S. and Israel, has prompted sharp criticism from China and Russia. On a recent call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, both emphasized that such actions against sovereign leaders are unacceptable and could lead to uncontrollable escalation of conflict. Wang expressly stated that it's critical to avert further war in the Middle East, highlighting the potential for broader instability in the region.

Lavrov echoed Wang's sentiments, indicating that U.S. and Israeli military actions severely undermine regional stability. He stressed the urgency for international diplomacy and called for a halt to hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his message of condolence to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, characterized Khamenei's death as an 'assassination' that defies moral and legal norms on a global scale, showing Russia's alignment with China on this matter.

North Korea has also condemned the airstrike as an illegitimate act of aggression, labeling the U.S. and Israel's actions as that of shameless bullies driven by self-serving hegemonic ambitions. The North Korean foreign ministry criticized these military actions, asserting that they reflect a dangerous abuse of power in pursuit of selfish goals. The situation has seen varied responses from Western nations, with significant players such as the UK, France, and Germany avoiding direct criticism towards the U.S., despite acknowledging Iran's retaliatory threats against U.S. positions in the region.