BEIJING, March 19, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China condemned on Thursday the killing 
of Iranian national security chief Ali Larijani by an Israeli air strike, 
calling it "unacceptable".

Beijing is a partner of Iran but has also criticised Tehran's strikes against 
Gulf states housing US military bases.

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.

"We have always opposed the use of force in international relations. The acts 
of killing Iranian state leaders and attacking civilian targets are even more 
unacceptable," China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news 
conference when asked about Larijani's death.

"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.

His trip included stops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, 
Kuwait and Egypt.

Zhai emphasised during his visits that "non-military targets should not be 
attacked, and the safety of shipping lanes should not be disturbed", 
according to spokesman Lin.

The envoy's trips were "one part of China's intensive diplomatic efforts" in 
the Middle East, Lin said, adding that Beijing's "diplomatic mediation 
efforts will not cease as long as the conflict continues".

China's foreign ministry said this week that Beijing would provide 
humanitarian assistance to Iran, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.