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China expresses grave concern over US-Israel attacks on Iran
Tehran condemns US-Israeli strikes, promises "crushing" response.
Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel".
Trump said Iran can never have nuclear weapon and US is to destroy Iran's missiles, raze its missile industry to the ground.
JERUSALEM -- Israeli media on Saturday evening cited a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks and his body has been discovered.
Meanwhile, an Iranian official was quoted by state media as saying that "the enemy is resorting to mental warfare."
JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said in a video statement that there are "increasing signs" that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is "gone."
Earlier in the day, Iranian media reported that the supreme leader was commanding Iran's response to ongoing US-Israeli attacks.
Hours after the US and Israel launched a strike on Iran on Saturday, leaders of various European nations have expressed their strong concerns to the situation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X: "The developments in Iran are greatly concerning. We remain in close contact with our partners in the region. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability."?
?"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," she also said.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas wrote on X: "I have spoken to Israel's Foreign Minister Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths."?
?"Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority. Our consular network is fully engaged in facilitating departures for EU citizens. Non-essential EU personnel are being withdrawn from the region."
France's President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X: "The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security." He wrote on X that "the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop."
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said: "We cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East. We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law. It is time to resume dialogue and reach a lasting political solution for the region."?
According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide was concerned the failure of negotiations between the US and Iran meant a "new, extensive war in the Middle East" would happen.
Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot wrote on X:?"I am very concerned by the developments in the Middle East. I express my full solidarity with the governments and people of the Gulf countries which are currently affected by unprovoked attacks. The situation is extremely worrying. Violence should not expand across the region."?
Agencies contribute to the story.
zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn
UNITED NATIONS -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, saying that the use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security.
"All Member States must respect their obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations," which clearly prohibits "the threat of the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations," Guterres said in a statement.
The UN chief called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation, warning that failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.
"I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table," he said.
Stressing that the UN Charter provides the foundation for maintaining international peace and security, Guterres reiterated that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.
TEHRAN-- Iran's Red Crescent Society said on Saturday that 201 people were killed and 747 others injured in US-Israeli attacks on the country, according to a report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.
The United States and Israel announced early on Saturday they had launched strikes against targets in Iran, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East and prompting swift reactions from allies, including Canada and European powers.
The White House said the strikes were aimed at preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear aspirations.
In an eight-minute televised address, US President Donald Trump described the operation as an effort that could lead to regime change, urging members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to "lay down your weapons" or "face certain death".
Tehran rejected Washington's characterization and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Trump's push to topple the Islamic government as "mission impossible".
In an interview with NBC News from Tehran, Araghchi said Iran had been "acting in good faith" in negotiating an agreement on its nuclear program when the US and Israel launched their attacks.
"This is a war of choice by the United States," he said. "We made it clear for the American team that we are prepared to do everything in order to prove that our nuclear program is peaceful and would remain peaceful forever."
In a joint statement issued from Mumbai, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa was closely following what they called "Iran-related hostilities" and urged Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.
European powers struck a more cautious tone. The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom — known as the E3 — said they did not participate in the strikes and urged Tehran to end its nuclear program and seek "a negotiated solution".
In a joint statement, they called for renewed talks and said "ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future".
In a joint statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said the developments were "greatly concerning" and reaffirmed their "steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability".
"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," they said.
They called on "all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law", and added that the European Union would take "all necessary steps" to ensure EU citizens in the region could count on its full support.
Meanwhile, regional media reported a growing number of civilian casualties. The Tasnim news agency said the death toll from a strike on an elementary school for girls in Minab, in Hormozgan province, had risen to 85. The figures could not be independently verified.
Agencies contributed to this story
TEHRAN -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday condemned the deadly Israeli-US airstrikes on a girls' school in southern Iran in a statement, calling the strikes "inhumane," his office said.
Pezeshkian also urged all relief and medical centers and relevant officials in the region to prioritize the "immediate and uninterrupted care" of the injured and their families by mobilizing all resources.
The death toll from the airstrikes has reached 85, said local media.
The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Saturday afternoon to discuss the situation in the Middle East, at the request of China, Russia, France, Bahrain, and Colombia. The UN secretary-general will brief the council.
The United States and Israel on Saturday launched "major combat operations" against Iran. Iran later retaliated with counterattacks targeting Israeli and US military assets across the region, affecting multiple countries in the Middle East.
Death toll from Israeli-US strikes on Iranian elementary school rises to 85 -- report
JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday held a phone call with US President Donald Trump amid a joint military attack against Iran, Netanyahu's office said.
No further details have been released yet.
The situation in the Middle East has suddenly escalated, with the United States and Israel launching strikes on Iran on Feb 28. US President Donald Trump said he aims to completely destroy Iran's missile and missile industry. Chen Qi, director of the Center for China-US Relations at Tsinghua University, said in an interview with China Daily that the US action indicates the failure of the third round of negotiations with Tehran to reach a basic consensus.
Washington's primary intention is to pressure Iran into making concessions in any potential future talks, while also diverting attention from domestic political issues in the United States, including the Epstein scandal, and building momentum ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. This military move has effectively opened Pandora's box, further intensifying regional tensions.
Future developments will hinge on Iran's capacity to retaliate. The US military base in Bahrain has reportedly been struck by missiles, and the Iranian side claims that around 200 US military personnel have been killed or injured. If Iran continues to retaliate and even moves to block the Strait of Hormuz, the situation could become politically untenable for Washington under mounting domestic pressure.
Reporter: Li Huixian
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed on Saturday Iran's retaliatory strikes on Gulf countries and expressed solidarity and sympathy in their first call since late December.
The Saudi crown prince called the Emirati president and "they discussed regional developments and the blatant Iranian attacks targeting the UAE and several other brotherly nations", the UAE's official WAM agency said.
The leaders condemned a "dangerous escalation that threatens the region's security and undermines its stability".
The crown prince expressed Saudi Arabia's "full solidarity with the UAE, and offered its resources to support any measures the UAE takes" while the Emirati leader "expressed his gratitude and appreciation".
Meanwhile, the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday condemned Iranian missile attacks that targeted the UAE and several other Gulf nations.
In a statement, the ministry affirmed the UAE's solidarity and support for the countries in the region affected by the attacks, emphasizing that their security is indivisible and that any infringement on the sovereignty of any state constitutes a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region.
The UAE reaffirmed its categorical rejection of the use of the territories of regional states as arenas for settling disputes or expanding the scope of conflict, warning of the grave consequences of continued violations, which undermine regional and international security and threaten global economic stability and energy security.
The UAE reiterated its call for restraint and a recourse to diplomatic solutions and serious dialogue, and highlighted that this remains the most effective path to overcoming the current crisis and safeguarding regional security and stability.
The UAE underscored that it retains its full and legitimate right to respond to the attacks, the statement added.
China has expressed grave concern over Saturday's military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of military actions.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry stressed that Iran's national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.
The spokesperson added that Beijing calls for no further escalation of tensions, resumption of dialogue and negotiation, and efforts to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.
TEHRAN - The death toll from the Israeli-US airstrikes on a girls' school in southern Iran has reached 60, with 80 people injured, Hossein Kermanpour, head of the Iranian Health Ministry's public relations, said in a post on the social media platform X.
Dozens are still trapped under the rubble, local media reported.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced it is engaging in strikes in the region to retaliate for Saturday's joint attacks by the United States and Israel.
However, in an interview with China Daily, Wang Chong, director of the American Studies Center at Zhejiang International Studies University said Iran's options for retaliation are limited.
Should Iran block the Strait of Hormuz, global oil shipments would be severely disrupted, sending prices soaring, while a concentrated missile barrage from Iran would pose the greatest threat to Israel.
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Iran's IRGC commander says Tehran will soon unveil unforeseen weapons: media
SANAA -- Yemen's Houthi group said on Saturday that attacks on Iran are part of a broader effort to undermine regional deterrence, warning that the United States and Israel would bear responsibility for the escalation and its impact on regional security.
In a statement broadcast by Al-Masirah TV, the group's Supreme Political Council, its highest governing body, described the US-Israeli strike on Iran as a "full-fledged major crime," a violation of Iran's sovereignty and a breach of international law, portraying the two countries as aggressive powers that disregard legal norms and humanitarian values.
The council expressed "full and steadfast solidarity" with Iran, including its leadership, government, and people, and affirmed Tehran's right to defend its sovereignty, security, and independent decision-making. It held the United States and Israel fully responsible for the consequences of the escalation.
The statement said the strike on Iran was not an isolated act, but part of a wider US-Israeli project aimed at "subjugating the region and enabling Israeli dominance." It warned that continued escalation would not bring security to Israel, but would instead broaden confrontation and strengthen resistance movements.
Separately, Yemen's internationally recognized government warned against any Houthi military action in support of Iran or any attempt to use Yemeni territory to strike neighboring countries or international targets.
Earlier on Saturday, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently announced missile and drone attacks on US bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, as well as on military and security targets inside Israel.
BRUSSELS -- European Union (EU) leaders on Saturday said developments in Iran were "greatly concerning" and urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint.
"We remain in close contact with our partners in the region," European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement.
They underscored the importance of ensuring nuclear safety and avoiding steps that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime.
"We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law," the statement said.
Meanwhile, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X that the latest developments across the Middle East were "perilous," adding that non-essential EU personnel were being withdrawn from the region.
Kallas said she had spoken with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and other ministers in the region, and that the EU was coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths.
Residents of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates reported loud explosions Saturday lunchtime, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. After vowing retaliation, Iran has since launched a first large-scale wave of retaliatory missiles on regional targets.
Abu Dhabi is home to a base housing US personnel, while Dubai is a financial hub in the region.
The UAE's state news agency WAM said the military had intercepted several Iranian ballistic missiles, but one man was killed in Abu Dhabi by falling missile debris in a residential area.
Abu Dhabi said it "reserves its full right to respond", slamming the attacks as "a dangerous escalation", a statement said.
Iran has so far confirmed some US military bases targeted in Gulf region as Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the fifth US base in Bahrain.
Earlier the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said it had closed its airspace "temporarily and partially" as an exceptional precautionary measure.
Agence France-Presse also reported explosions in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh.
Britain has updated its travel advice for the UAE since the attacks started, citing risks of travel disruption and other unforeseen impacts.
TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that its people and armed forces will deliver a "decisive and determining" response to what it called the "aggressors" and make them regret their "criminal" actions.
In a statement carried by the official news agency IRNA, the ministry said, "Iran once again came under the military aggression of the United States and Israel," adding that US and Israeli forces targeted defense infrastructure and civilian sites in multiple Iranian cities, in blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministry criticized the "repeated military aggression" at a time when Tehran and Washington were engaged in a diplomatic process. It said Iran entered indirect nuclear negotiations despite anticipating attacks by the United States and Israel, to demonstrate its legitimacy and the illegitimacy of any pretext used by the aggressors.
The ministry said responding to the US and Israeli strikes, which it called "a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter," is Iran's lawful right. It added that Iranian forces will use all available means to counter the "criminal aggression and repel the enemy's maliciousness."
The statement urged the United Nations and its Security Council to act immediately to address the threat to international peace and security posed by the attacks, and called on all UN member states to condemn the strikes and take collective measures against them.
On Saturday morning, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities.
