China on Monday said it opposes any attempt to target Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, describing his appointment as an internal matter for the Islamic Republic.
Diaspora Digital Media reported that Iran has recently named Mojtaba Khamenei as supreme leader following the killing of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the first wave of strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets.
The Israeli military has since warned that any successor to the former Iranian leader could also be targeted, raising fears of further escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Responding to the development, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing respects Iran’s sovereignty and rejects outside interference.
“Iran’s decision to appoint the younger Khamenei is based on its constitution,” Guo told reporters at a press briefing in Beijing.
“China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs under any pretext, and Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” he added.
Escalating Military Conflict
Fighting between Iran and its adversaries has intensified in recent days. The United States and Israel have continued to carry out strikes on Iranian targets, while Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and Gulf countries hosting American military bases.
The conflict has heightened tensions across the Middle East, raising fears of a broader regional war.
China Calls for De-escalation
China, a close economic partner of Iran, earlier condemned the killing of Ali Khamenei but has also criticized Iran’s retaliatory strikes against Gulf states.
China’s special envoy to the Middle East, Zhai Jun, called for restraint during talks with Faisal bin Farhan, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
“China urges all parties to immediately cease military operations, prevent further escalation of tensions and avoid causing greater harm to the people of regional countries,” Zhai said.
Meanwhile, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi described the ongoing war as one that “should never have happened” and urged all sides to end the fighting.
Concerns Over Energy Security
The conflict is also raising concerns over global energy supplies and trade routes, which are vital to China’s economy.
According to data from analytics firm Kpler, more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports went to China last year, accounting for about 13 percent of China’s total seaborne oil imports.
However, more than half of China’s crude oil imports originate from the wider Middle East, making the country heavily dependent on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
With tensions continuing to rise in the region, analysts warn that disruptions to shipping lanes could threaten global energy security and further destabilize oil markets.
