China has condemned the killing of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli airstrike, calling it “unacceptable” and urging all parties, including the United States, to immediately cease military operations.
Larijani was the highest-profile Iranian killed since Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures died during a wave of US and Israeli strikes when the war started on February 28.
Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami threatened to launch a “decisive and regrettable” retaliation for the killing.
US President Donald Trump hailed Larijani’s death, without actually naming him but referring to his supposed role in spearheading the recent crushing of mass protests.
“Their leaders are gone,” Trump said of Iran’s clerical regime. “It’s an evil group. I mean, they’ve killed much more than 32,000 people. And the man who was responsible for that was also killed yesterday.”
China Terms Israel’s Killing of Iran’s Larijani Unacceptable
China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian, when asked about Larijani’s death, stated that Beijing has always opposed the use of force in international relations.
“The acts of killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets are even more unacceptable,” he said.
“China urges the parties concerned to immediately cease military operations and prevent the regional situation from spiralling out of control”, Lin said.
Beijing has sought to mediate in the war, with its special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, travelling across the region this month to meet top officials.
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China’s response came after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu was seen talking on a call with Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, seated beside him.
Katz stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had authorised the Israeli military to target senior Iranian officials, saying such actions could proceed without additional approval once intelligence and operational plans were finalized.
Netanyahu also shared a video from the high-security ‘Kirya’ command centre and said that he was ordering the killing of two “terrorist chieftains” — Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani.
Larijani was widely viewed as one of Iran’s most powerful figures and a confidant of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son and successor, Mojtaba.
The security chief had a reputation for pragmatic relations with other factions in the ruling system and foreign diplomats.
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Trump Delays China Visit Over Iran War
The development also comes after US President Donald Trump confirmed he is delaying plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of the month, as the United States-Israeli war on Iran continues to consume most of Washington’s focus.
“We are resetting the meeting. We’re working with China, and they were fine with it. Because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Trump’s comments that he wants to remain in Washington come as the war against Iran extends into its third week and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to almost all global shipping.
The POTUS was scheduled to visit Beijing from March 31 to April 2. The president said he now plans to visit in “about five weeks” or towards the end of April. His last state visit to China was in 2017, during his first term.
China is not considered the Great Satan by Iran nor have they been attacked. Iran plots don’t have tight timelines. They will wait 5, 10, 15+ years to attack. Iran means “death to America”. It’s not just a cute chant for family gatherings. Now that is be handled.