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Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

unnecessary disruptions ahead of planned high-level exchanges with the United States; called for an immediate halt to military operations in Iran to prevent regional escalation; and described China’s relationship with Russia as “firmly cooperative,” opposing Western sanctions imposed over

Separately, China’s foreign minister addressed other international issues: he opposed unilateral trade barriers and economic or technological decoupling, warning such actions would backfire; affirmed China’s commitment to trade liberalization and a fair economic order while urging removal of

continued sharp tensions between the two countries.

The remarks came during a panel at the Munich Security Conference and followed a decisive general election victory by Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party. Japan’s defense minister had urged a resumption of dialogue with Beijing one day earlier, but the foreign minister’s comments signaled

restrictions, and cautioned its citizens against travel to Japan in response. China’s foreign minister also said moves to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities or to weaken Japan’s pacifist constitutional limits would be viewed as troubling.

Beijing linked its objections to Takaichi’s November parliamentary comments about possible Japanese military involvement in a Taiwan contingency and described Taiwan as an internal matter and a Chinese “core interest.” China has sought the withdrawal of those comments, applied trade

harmful results.

militarism, could pose an existential threat to Japan, and would alarm China and wider Asia. The foreign minister called on the Japanese people to reject far-right influence and urged Japan not to return to the policies of its militarist past, warning that repeating those actions would produce

China’s foreign minister warned that recent statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and a perceived shift toward militarism in Japan are creating serious regional tensions. He said suggestions that Japan’s Self-Defense Forces might respond to a crisis over Taiwan echo past Japanese

China Warns Japan: Taiwan Remarks Risk Regional Crisis

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leader will inherit a country facing a widening regional war, serious economic strain and a population that has engaged in repeated protests over the past decade.

No official confirmation of any successor has been announced.

Officials and senior clerics have urged a prompt decision to restore stability amid ongoing tensions. Analysts expect the system’s priorities to favor stability and to keep clerics, Revolutionary Guard commanders and security institutions dominant in decision‑making. Whoever becomes supreme

the Gulf and the region; reporting indicates commanders of the Revolutionary Guard have also suffered losses, producing a generational shift among its leaders that analysts describe as toward younger figures who they say are less pragmatic and more radical.

The leadership transition follows an attack that killed the supreme leader and multiple senior officials, which has been reported to have narrowed the field of likely successors. The deaths occurred amid an active war that has spread beyond Iran’s borders with missile and drone strikes across

founder’s grandson who is respected in some clerical and reformist circles and is viewed by some as more moderate; and hardline cleric Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri.

Other potential candidates reported include Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, a senior cleric who sits on the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts and who oversees seminaries in Qom; Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, a former judiciary chief from a prominent political family; Hassan Khomeini, the

hereditary transfer; those characterizations are reported assessments rather than established facts.

establishment, including close relationships with senior figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Some accounts say his influence within clerical circles and his connections with the IRGC have drawn attention and criticism that a succession to him would amount to a dynastic or

One reported leading contender is Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of the late leader. He has no history of elected office but is reported to have worked for years inside his father’s office, studied in Qom, served as a volunteer during the Iran–Iraq war, and developed ties across the security

be made at a full, in‑person session or via alternative procedures. Reports say at least 14 Assembly members may have boycotted a previous meeting in protest against perceived undue influence.

The 88‑member Assembly of Experts, the clerical body responsible for electing the supreme leader, appears to have coalesced around a likely successor, with members signaling growing agreement while some officials say unresolved obstacles remain. Debate continues over whether the selection will

Iran’s supreme leader has died, creating an immediate question about who will succeed him and prompting a process under the Assembly of Experts to select a new leader within three months as required by Iran’s constitution.

Iran's Succession Fight: Son Seen as Likely Leader

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continue damage assessments and operations updates as they implement emergency passenger care and work to restore normal flight operations.

The disruptions followed heightened regional tensions and military-related activity, which prompted precautionary airspace restrictions and retaliatory strikes in some accounts; reporting attributes these developments to the broader context of regional operations and strikes. Authorities

guidance; at least one hospitality group said it would not raise prices or evict guests unable to pay. The UAE also stated it will cover accommodation and sustenance costs for passengers stranded by the flight disruptions.