China: Assassination of Iranian leaders, attacks on civilian targets unacceptable

A spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry has censured the assassination of Iranian authorities and attacks on civilian targets by the United States and the Israeli regime.

Speaking at a daily press briefing on Thursday, Lin Jian said the assassination of Iranian leaders and attacks on civilian targets are by no means acceptable, adding that Beijing has always opposed the use of force in international relations.

In response to a statement by Israel authorizing its troops to attack and kill any Iranian official without the need of approval, Lin said China is “shocked” by such remarks.

The international community widely calls for an early ceasefire and an end to hostilities as the war rages on across the region and the tense regional situation continues to escalate and spill over, he added.

The spokesman emphasized that China urges the involved parties to immediately stop military operations and avoid plunging the regional situation into a state where it is out of control.

Lin’s remarks came after the assassination of Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, Minister of Intelligence Esmaeil Khatib and Head of the Basij Organization Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani Farsani, along with several of his comrades, in US-Israel strikes.

Larijani also served as a member of Iran's Expediency Council and a senior advisor to the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. He previously served as Speaker of the Iranian Parliament for 12 years before being succeeded by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of unlawful military aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country. The attacks led to the martyrdom of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders.

At least 1,300 civilians, including women and children, have also been killed in the attacks, which have damaged or destroyed hospitals, schools and houses, among other things.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases in regional countries.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir