China Decries Iranian Supreme Leader Killing in US-Israeli Attack

(MENAFN) Beijing lashed out Sunday against the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, slain in a US-Israeli military assault on Tehran the previous day, demanding an immediate halt to hostilities across the Middle East.

"The attack and killing of Iran's supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran's sovereignty and security," China's Foreign Ministry declared in an official statement posted to X, the American-owned social media platform.

"It tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it," the statement said.

Beijing renewed its push for an "immediate" cessation of military operations throughout the region, urging a "joint effort" to safeguard peace and stability across the Middle East and the "world at large."

Iranian authorities confirmed Sunday morning the death of Khamenei, 86, hours after US and Israeli forces unleashed a devastating bombardment on the capital Saturday. The government subsequently declared a 40-day national mourning period.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council disclosed that Khamenei was killed at his office in the early hours of Saturday, warning his death would mark the beginning of a "great uprising against the tyrants of the world."

Even before Tehran's official announcement, US President Donald Trump had already declared on his Truth Social platform that Khamenei was "dead."

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