China on Monday affirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment as Iran’s new supreme leader following the killing of his father is a domestic matter, warning against any attempts to target him.
The move comes as tensions escalate in the region, with Israel’s military threatening to target any successor to former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial wave of US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a “lightweight” and insisted he should have a say in appointing Iran’s new leader.
Guo Jiakun, speaking for the Chinese foreign ministry, said the decision to appoint Mojtaba Khamenei was “based on its constitution” and stressed that China opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs. “Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected,” he said.
The conflict has intensified recently, with Israel and the US continuing strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and Gulf nations hosting US forces.
China, a close partner of Iran, condemned the killing of the former supreme leader but also criticised Iranian attacks on Gulf states. During talks with Faisal bin Farhan, China’s Middle East envoy, Zhai Jun, urged all parties to halt military operations and prevent further escalation that could harm regional populations.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated on Sunday that the war “should never have happened” and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The conflict threatens global energy security and trade, including China’s oil supply. Over 80 percent of Iranian oil exports went to China last year, according to analytics firm Kpler.
While this represents about 13 percent of China’s total seaborne oil imports, more than half of China’s crude imports last year came from the wider Middle East, making transit through the Strait of Hormuz crucial.
What you should know
China is positioning itself as a mediator in the escalating Iran-Israel-US conflict, balancing close political and energy ties with Tehran while calling for restraint.
The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader occurs amid ongoing regional tensions, and China’s focus on energy security highlights the global stakes of the conflict.
By urging respect for Iran’s sovereignty and a halt to hostilities, Beijing seeks to protect regional stability while safeguarding its oil imports and trade interests.
