01.03.2026 15:30
China and Russia discussed over the phone following the assassination of Khamenei. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran and the killing of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would not be accepted, calling on the international community to respond collectively to unilateral actions.
According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Wang spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
Wang noted during the conversation that the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran while negotiations are ongoing violate international law and the fundamental norms of international relations, stating, "The assassination of a leader of a sovereign country and the incitement of regime change is unacceptable."
Wang pointed out that following the actions of the US and Israel, the conflict has spread to the Gulf region and the situation in the Middle East is being dragged into a dangerous abyss, expressing China's concern over this situation.
Wang emphasized that military actions must be immediately halted to prevent the escalation of the conflict and the tension from reaching an uncontrollable point.
"THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST RAISE A CLEAR AND FIRM VOICE"
Wang expressed that China defends the purposes and principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter and opposes the use of force in international relations, emphasizing the necessity of returning to dialogue and negotiations.
Wang stated that all parties must advocate for peace and encourage others to return to dialogue and negotiation.
Reminding that a collective response against unilateral actions is necessary, Wang said, "Attacking sovereign countries without the approval of the UN Security Council undermines the foundation of peace established after World War II. The international community must raise a clear and firm voice against the return of the law of the jungle in the world."
Russian Minister Lavrov also stated that the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran have caused significant harm to the stability of the Middle East, and that Russia shares the same position with China on this issue, expressing readiness to call for the cessation of war and a return to the diplomatic negotiation process by strengthening communication and coordination and sending a clear message through platforms such as the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
US-ISRAEL ATTACKS ON IRAN
Israel and the US launched a military attack on Iran on February 28 while negotiations were ongoing between the Tehran and Washington administrations.
Iran responded with attacks on targets it identified in several regional countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, where US bases are located, in addition to Israel.
In the US-Israel attacks, many high-ranking officials, including Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were killed.
The Iranian Red Crescent announced that 201 people lost their lives and 747 were injured in the bombings targeting the country.