China condemns killing of Iranian security chief in Israeli air strike

China strongly condemned the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli air strike on March 19, calling the attack “unacceptable.”

“We have always opposed the use of force in international relations. The acts of killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets are even more unacceptable,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a news conference when asked about Larijani’s death, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Larijani was the highest-profile Iranian figure killed since supreme leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials died during a wave of strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces at the start of the conflict on February 28.

“China urges the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations and prevent the regional situation from spiralling out of control,” Lin added.

Beijing, a close partner of Iran, has also criticised Tehran’s strikes against Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. The Chinese government has sought to mediate in the war, with its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, meeting senior officials across the region this month.

Lin said Zhai emphasised during his visits that “non-military targets should not be attacked, and the safety of shipping lanes should not be disturbed.”

China’s foreign ministry also announced on March 17 that Beijing would provide humanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.

By Sabina Mammadli