Iranian authorities on March 1 confirmed Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes the previous day and declared 40 days of national mourning, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
 
In response to a media inquiry regarding military strikes against Iran by the US and Israel that resulted in the death of Khamenei, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Monday that the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security. 
 
Mao said It tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations. China firmly opposes and strongly condemns it. 
 
“We urge for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large,” Mao added.
 
Khamenei was one of the longest-serving leaders in the Middle East, and his death was expected to cast a long shadow over Iran and the broader region, Xinhua reported.


Global Times