World leaders urge return to talks after US and Israeli strikes

The demise of Mr Khamenei, who had no designated successor, will likely throw Iran’s future into uncertainty and exacerbate already growing concerns of a broader conflict

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country essentially agreed with the goals of the US action (Markus Schreiber/AP)

World leaders urged peace and a return to talks as the military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran raised concerns about whether the violence could spread across the region.

The calls came as tensions rose with Iran vowing devastating blows after the killing of the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.