China on Thursday condemned the killing of Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike, calling the act “unacceptable” and urging an immediate halt to military operations in the region.
The statement comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia following a series of U.S. and Israeli strikes that have targeted senior Iranian leadership since the conflict began on February 28.
China’s response underscores its growing diplomatic engagement in the crisis, as Beijing positions itself as a mediator while maintaining strategic ties with Iran and balancing relations across the Gulf.
“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,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference.
Larijani is among the highest-profile Iranian figures to be killed since the outbreak of hostilities, which have already claimed several senior leaders, including those close to Iran’s top leadership, according to officials and reports.
China called on all parties involved to de-escalate the situation and avoid further destabilisation in the region.
“China urges the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations and prevent the regional situation from spiralling out of control,” Lin said.
As part of its diplomatic outreach, China has dispatched its special envoy to West Asia, Zhai Jun, who has been travelling across the region this month engaging with key stakeholders.
Officials said Zhai’s visits have included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt, where he held talks with senior officials on ways to reduce tensions.
During these meetings, China emphasised the importance of protecting civilian infrastructure and ensuring the safety of critical maritime routes.
“Non-military targets should not be attacked, and the safety of shipping lanes should not be disturbed,” Lin said, referring to the envoy’s discussions.
China described the envoy’s visits as part of “intensive diplomatic efforts” aimed at preventing further escalation and facilitating dialogue among conflicting parties.
Beijing also reiterated that its mediation efforts would continue for as long as the conflict persists, signalling a sustained diplomatic push in the region.
In addition to diplomatic initiatives, China announced that it would provide humanitarian assistance to countries affected by the conflict, including Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
The latest developments highlight China’s dual approach of condemning violence while seeking to expand its diplomatic footprint in West Asia, as the conflict risks widening across the region.
