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China condemned Thursday the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike, describing it as “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,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a news conference.
“China urges the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations and prevent the regional situation from spiralling out of control,” he added.
Larijani was the highest-profile Iranian official killed since then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures died in a wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes at the start of the war on Feb. 28.
Beijing, a partner of Iran, has also criticized Tehran’s missile and drone strikes targeting Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases.
China has sought to position itself as a mediator in the conflict, intensifying diplomatic outreach across the Middle East.
China’s special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, has traveled across the region this month, holding talks with officials in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt.
During his visits, Zhai stressed that “non-military targets should not be attacked, and the safety of shipping lanes should not be disturbed,” Lin said.
The envoy’s tour is part of what Beijing described as “intensive diplomatic efforts” to de-escalate the conflict.
China’s foreign ministry also said this week that Beijing would provide humanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.
Lin said China’s “diplomatic mediation efforts will not cease as long as the conflict continues.”
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