China Condemns Israel Strike Killing Iranian Security Chief, Calls for Ceasefire
Beijing condemned the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike on Tuesday, calling the act “unacceptable.” The statement from China’s foreign ministry marks a significant response from a key partner of Iran, even as Beijing has also voiced criticism of Tehran’s recent actions in the region.
“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,” said foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a news conference Thursday. He urged “the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations and prevent the regional situation from spiralling out of control.”
Larijani’s death is the most prominent killing of an Iranian official since the start of the conflict on February 28, which saw the deaths of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures in US and Israeli strikes, according to reports. He was head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a veteran of the Islamic Republic’s political and security apparatus. Israeli defense minister Israel Katz stated that Larijani was “eliminated.”
China has been attempting to mediate in the escalating conflict, dispatching its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, on a tour of regional capitals this month. Zhai visited Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Egypt, emphasizing the need to protect non-military targets and ensure the safety of vital shipping lanes, Lin said.
“These trips were one part of China’s intensive diplomatic efforts,” Lin added, stating that Beijing’s mediation efforts would continue “as long as the conflict continues.” China has also announced plans to provide humanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq this week.
Iran has vowed “decisive” retaliation for Larijani’s death, responding with a barrage of missiles towards Israel on Wednesday, some of which reportedly killed two people near Tel Aviv. Gulf nations also intercepted rockets and drones targeting regional locations, including US military bases.
Larijani, a former Revolutionary Guards officer, served as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator and speaker of parliament for over a decade. He was considered a hardliner but also understood negotiation and the limits of the Iranian system, according to reports. He was reportedly defiant in his public statements, warning against threats from the United States just a week before his death.