Trending 
Top officials of the European Union (EU) on Sunday described the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israeli strikes as a pivotal moment that could open new possibilities for Iran, while also warning of the danger of wider regional instability.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, called Khamenei’s death “a defining moment in Iran’s history,” suggesting it could mark the beginning of significant political change.
Similarly, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said the development brought “renewed hope for the people of Iran.”
“With Khamenei gone, there is renewed hope for the people of Iran. We must ensure that the future is theirs to claim and shape,” von der Leyen wrote on social media following a call with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Despite the note of optimism, EU leaders cautioned that the situation remains volatile. Von der Leyen warned that the moment “carries a real risk of instability that could push the region into a spiral of violence.” She said Brussels was engaging closely with key regional and international actors to safeguard stability, enhance security, and protect civilian lives.
Kallas echoed similar concerns, saying she was in contact with regional partners “that bear the brunt of Iran’s military actions” to explore practical steps for de-escalation.
“What comes next is uncertain,” she wrote on X. “But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape.”
The EU’s remarks reflect a delicate balance between acknowledging potential political transformation in Iran and seeking to prevent further escalation in an already tense Middle East.
